RIAA defendant 'has never used a computer'

The RIAA has issued a writ against a woman who claims never to have owned a computer

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has issued another 750 writs against people it believes are pirates, including a carer in New York who claims never to have owned a computer.

Home health aide Marie Lindor has asked the Eastern District Court of New York to dismiss the case against her before it even comes to court because she claims to be clueless about computers.

"Ms Lindor has not only never 'downloaded, distributed or made available for distribution' any files, but has never purchased, used or even turned on a computer in her life," her lawyers wrote in a letter to Judge David Trager. 

The RIAA remains adamant, however. Cary Sherman, president of the trade body, said: "The illegal downloading of music is just as wrong as shoplifting from a local store. It is against the law, and breaking the law must carry consequences."

Meanwhile Hillary Rosen, former head of the RIAA, and Jay Berman, former boss of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, are preparing to cash in on the boom in digital piracy.

The pair have formed a consultancy to advise on piracy issues called Berman Rosen Global Strategies, with offices in Washington and New York.

"We have a unique combination of knowledge and experience. Over the years we have advised a number of analysts on factors relating to piracy in the entertainment business," said Rosen.

"One thing was always missing: the ability to place a valuation on the costs of piracy on the multiples expected from any financial investment."

The consultancy will be affiliated with lobbyist firm Public Strategies Inc, whose clients include the RIAA, Dell and AMD.