$675,000 For File Sharing

A federal judge has ruled that a Boston University student violated copyright infringement laws when he swapped music online.

Joel Tenenbaum, of Providence, R.I., admitted on the witness stand Thursday that he downloaded and distributed 30 songs.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Gertner ruled late Thursday that the only issue for the jury is whether his infringement was willful, and how much in damage to award four record labels that sued him over the illegal file-sharing.

The jury began deliberating the case late Friday. The case in Boston is only the nation’s second music downloading case against an individual to go to trial. The jury returned a verdict and awarded the plaintiffs the amount of $675,000. Tenebaum said that he has no choice but to declare bankruptcy.

Last month, a federal jury in Minneapolis ruled a Minnesota woman must pay $1.9 million for a similar copy right infringement case.

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