This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
Business News Digital Labels & Publishers Legal
Sony sues Swedish file-sharer over Beyonce leak
By Chris Cooke | Published on Wednesday 6 March 2013
Sony Music has sued a Swedish file-sharer who is accused of leaking onto the net Beyonce’s 2011 album ‘4’ before its release. The man from Gothenburg, thought to have links to the music industry, is also being targeted by a criminal prosecution with regards to the leaking, via file-sharing networks, of the then new Beyonce record.
The music industry, of course, has sued tens of thousands of file-sharers worldwide over the last decade, while a handful more have been targeted with criminal actions. More recent litigation against individual file-sharers, though, has tended to focus on the leaking of new albums online before official release, with labels arguing this not only effects sales of the record, but also screws up expensive marketing plans.
According to Torrentreak, in this particular case Sony is suing for 1.5 million kronor, or $233,000, claiming that the defendant’s actions impacted on its marketing strategy and sales revenue, plus hindered the major’s relationship with Beyonce and her reputation.
Six and even seven figure damages in lawsuits against individual file-sharers are not unprecedented, of course, the most high profile such cases having occurred in the US. Though such levels of damages often result in long drawn-out appeals, with defendants often being unable to pay anything like that sort of money even if they wanted to. And, arguably, such high demands by labels does further PR damage for the industry (and further damage to both Sony and Beyonce’s reputation), even if they are well and truly in the right, legally speaking.
