Capitol to cover costs in piracy case

Reimbursement a first for music industry.
A federal judge has ordered Capitol Records to pay nearly $70,000 to cover the attorney fees and litigation costs of a woman the company unsuccessfully sued for illegal downloading.

Ruling, issued by a U.S. District Court in Oklahoma, marks the first reimbursement of expenses to a defendant in the music industry's lawsuits against alleged online pirates.

Case dates back to 2004, when Capitol sued Oklahoma resident Deborah Foster for alleged copyright violation via unauthorized downloading. A year later, Capitol amended the complaint to include Foster's adult daughter, Amanda, as co-defendant.

Capitol eventually won a default judgment against Amanda Foster but continued to pursue her mother until offering to settle out of court. Failing to reach a settlement, Capitol dropped its case against Deborah Foster.

Foster then petitioned for recovery of expenses, submitting an itemized claim of more than $114,000. After reviewing the claim, the court ruled on Monday that Foster is entitled to $68,685.23. Chasing Pirates More?