Trials & Litigation

RIAA Reportedly Spent More than $17M in Legal Fees in 2008

The Recording Industry Association of America has long pursued aggressive litigation seeking damages for illegal downloading, but just how successful has it been?

In monetary terms, the effort was a bust, according to the blogs Recording Industry vs The People and ITProPortal, relying on information unearthed by p2pnet.net.

The blogs say the RIAA paid more than $17 million in attorney fees in 2008, but recovered only $391,000. The breakdown: $9.36 million went to Holme Roberts & Owen, $7 million to Jenner & Block, and $1.25 million to Cravath, Swaine & Moore.

Spokespersons for the RIAA and the law firms didn’t immediately return messages and e-mails seeking comment.

Related coverage:

ABA Journal: “The Record Business Blues”

ABAJournal.com: “Judge Slashes ‘Excessive’ $675K Award in Music Download Case to $67.5K”