Idolator

Jammie Thomas, the Minnesota woman ordered to pay $222,000 to the majors for engaging in the sharing of many crummy songs, may get a second chance with a jury. Thomas has moved for a new trial on the grounds that her punishment was excessive and therefore unconstitutional; meanwhile, the presiding judge is calling for a hearing on whether or not simply making a song available to other filesharers because he found a 1993 ruling from the 8th Circuit that defines infringement as "an actual dissemination of either copies or phonorecords"—which may make last year's verdict null and void. Both sides will make oral arguments July 1 in Duluth, Minn. [Bit Player]