Illegal Music Downloads.

It's probably a smart time to get your mp3s legally. We live in an environment where illegal MP3 sharing can bring you sharply into focus on the RIAA's radar and can have catastrophic cash flow implications. Just ask one of 30,000 folks in the USA who have been accused of illegal music downloading, and have settled for an average of $3,000 - $12,000.

I think you'll agree, that's not loose change for most people. Indeed, a recent case is that of Joel Tenenbaum, a 25-year old student at Boston University pursuing a physics PhD. Back in 2003 Joel downloaded 7 songs illegally and shared them with friends.

He was caught and offered to pay $500 then $5000 to settle. That was refused so now Joel is in a legal battle to avoid shelling out $1 million for the 7 mp3 downloads.

We have no idea how the case will pan out, but Joel does have the help of a legal big gun in the form of Professor Charles Nesson of Harvard law school.