Woman fined $220,000 for file sharing

AN American woman has become the first person to be convicted of illegally downloading music and fined $220,000 (€156,000).

Although the music industry has threatened others with prosecution, all have settled before going to court. But Jammie Thomas, 30, decided she would take them on and maintained she did nothing wrong.

After the verdict she was in shock. Although she has little money she faces having a legal order imposed that would deduct a quarter of her salary until the fine is paid.