Paramount Sues Ohio Man For $100,000

ematic writes "A hapless tech-novice finds himself in a US$100,000 lawsuit with Paramount Pictures for allegedly uploading the movie, Coach Carter, to eDonkey. Paramount had the police seize his four computers, but nothing was found. The tech-novice maintains his innocence, and contends that he is a victim of a drive-by upload. According to the ChannelCincinnati story, the victim 'is either a slick film pirate or an unwitting victim of someone who fits that description.'"

Slick Film Pirate...

[Cruithne]

... what, like Johnny Dep?

Re:Tech Novice?

[Anonymous Coward]

A tech novice with 4 computers?

Er... someone just broke in and left them here. What are those things anyway? I thought they were modern art.

Next Door

[Tinn-Can]

That is why you use the next door neighbor's wi-fi... maybe being in jail will keep him from blasting the TV all night... secure your wireless, or have the MPAA come after you...

Re:Tech Novice?

[blanktek]

One computer and three coffee holders...

Ignorance of the law is not innocence

[eno2001]

Even if this man did not know what was done on his machines, he's still responsible. That is the law that the law givers made. The punishment must be death by mahi mahi. Feigning ignorance of the law by claiming that he did not know what was done is a white herring designed to try and make people think otherwise. This displeases the law givers. He will feel their wrath for his ignorance as they beat him.

-Grobo, Son of Chinea in the Tenth Dynasty of Koll

Marketing Ploy

[VonSkippy]

Only way that dog of a movie could make $100K is to sue someone - that and all the chump change picked up from the PR resulting in curiosity sales. //no body = no conviction, but this is the RIAA so don't count on logic figuring into the case.

What did he expect?

[dirtsurfer]

If he didn't want to draw attention to himself, he shouldn't have been going by the name "Ohio Man" in the first place.

Re:type?

[fishbowl]

"Usually none. If the police execute a search and seizer, it is under the color of their official duty. To be held liable, it has to be shown as a clear abuse, not just a major screw-up."

Still, it can't be a good point for the plaintiff.

"Your honor, we stand before you with our dicks in our hands, since we found no evidence. We move for a change of venue."

Coach Carter

[mattwarden]

I hadn't heard of this movie until this story. Further proof that piracy helps the movie industry.

Re:Tech Novice?

[Anonymous Coward]

That old line about Innocent until proven guilty went out with 9/11. The guy is OBIVIOUSLY a terrorist!*

(*Editors note : The proceeding was a joke.)

unemployed pirates

[pintomp3]

it's all capital one's fault. all these pirates have nothing else to do so they upload movies. (please don't mod me offtopic just because you don't watch tv).

Re:Tech Novice?

[Pofy]

>A tech novice with 4 computers?

No, no, no! He just had a very fast processor. That would then be the *equivalency* of 4 computers. You must learn the correct mathematics.

Re:Tech Novice?

[rk]

They found a file with "12345" in it, which is the combination to the President' luggage. So, he's busted.

Re:Some people just waste money

[Sheriff Fatman]

> "What's the right term for someone who uses computers, but knows basically nothing about them?"

Don't know about you, but round here we call them 'managers'...

Re:2 things:

[thePfhitz]

I get the idea of a deterent but man.

Wouldn't "a deterent but man" be the goatse guy? That unfortunately makes me wonder what things would be like if they replaced the FBI warnings with his picture... I'm sure nobody would be wanting to copy movies then!

Re:Tech Novice?

[Bin_jammin]

Brother, you ain't kidding. I just got paid with a kitten. It has extra toes.

Re:Some people just waste money

[Anonymous Coward]

Graphic Designer?

Re:Motive?

[dodobh]

EMPs can do the trick.

Re:Plausible deniability

[cpt kangarooski]

Heroine, eh? Well, I would certainly be surprised to find a heroine in anyone's luggage, especially since you don't really see people with luggage large enough for your average-sized heroine these days. Carryons are quite popular.

Re:Piece of cake ...

[torokun]

I would suggest:

probably -> prolly
probable -> prol
probability -> prolity