RIAA defendant accuses Media Sentry of felonies

A STUDENT at the University of Michigan targeted by the RIAA for alleged file-sharing has accused its gumshoes at Media Sentry of felonies and suggested criminal prosecution.

The 'John Doe' student identified so far only as 'Case #162983070' sent a letter to a state investigator. In his letter, he complains that Media Sentry has and continues to investigate Michigan residents such as himself without a private investigator's licence as required by state law.

He notes that he is identified as a defendant in a federal lawsuit filed by an RIAA member company alleging copyright infringements by himself and six other Michigan residents, and that the plaintiff has filed evidence compiled by Media Sentry in applying to pursue discovery, that is, identify himself and other defendants by name, take their depositions, examine their personal computers and so on, in order to hail them into US District Court seeking damages.

The student further writes that the fact that the plaintiff filed Media Sentry's investigative extracts in support of its application for discovery establishes, without a doubt, that Media Sentry was engaged in obtaining evidence intended to be used in court. A pursuit that falls under Michigan's definitions of activities that require a private detective agency licence.

He then fastens upon the inherent absurdity of the situation forced upon him by the RIAA, in that he and the other defendants will be prevented from examining or otherwise challenging Media Sentry's unlicenced investigations:

"Since unlicensed investigations in Michigan are punishable as a felony, any agents or employees of Media Sentry would be able to properly assert their rights against self-incrimination in refusing to answer any questions regarding their investigative efforts in this matter."

He argues that Michigan's laws were not established to protect the self-interests of private investigators but instead to protect Michigan residents who might employ or be subjects of investigations. He writes, "As a Michigan resident, I have been subjected to harassment, intimidation, and invasions of my personal privacy as a result of the ongoing and continuing unlicensed activities of Media Sentry."

He concludes by asking that the state investigator refer information about Media Sentry's apparent felonies to the state Attorney General's Office or the local prosecutor's office.

Keep some popcorn around, because this could turn into a legal drama worth watching. µ

L'Inq
Recording Industry vs The People