Singer Sophie B. Hawkins wins small claims case against early release of CD
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins won $324 in small claims court for the early release of three advance copies of her latest CD.
One promotional copy of Wilderness appeared on eBay for $300 in December, five months before it was to be released. Hawkins, best known for her 1992 hit Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover, told the Internet auction site to stop featuring the item, and it did.
But the seller contacted buyers independently and sold two more copies, for $12 each.
When the defendants did not appear in court Tuesday, Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Roberta Kyman found in favour of Hawkins.
The 36-year-old singer, who lives in Santa Monica, said in a statement she understands why major music labels are alarmed by file-swapping and piracy.
“I’m not stressed about the one or two CDs here — I had to make a statement,” she said. “I think more artists should take a stand.”
Hawkins had said that if she won the case she would return the money to the buyers.
Wilderness, which comes out Tuesday, is the first album Hawkins has produced under her own label.
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On the Net:
http://www.sophiebhawkins.com― The Huckle-Buck (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:36 (twenty-two years ago)
Will she give the buyers something sweet each time they come inside her jungle book, though?
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:52 (twenty-two years ago)
she's mad because the bad ebay man took away her ramen money. oh well... $324 will buy MANY packages of ramen! < /homer>
― stockholm cindy (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 14 April 2004 17:59 (twenty-two years ago)