Jammie Thomas-Rasset, a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians owes $220,000 to record companies for sharing copyrighted material over the Internet, the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled today.

Thomas-Rasset was the first person to go on trial for sharing music online. After three trials, she was found guilty by a jury for sharing 24 songs and told to pay $1.5 million.

A federal judge lowered the amount to $54,000. On appeal, the 8th Circuit reinstated an award of $222,000 to the record companies.

The award represents $9,250 for each song that was shared online.

Get the Story:
Appeals court says Minn. woman owes record companies $222,000 for copyright violations (AP 9/11)

8th Circuit Court of Appeals:
Capitol Records v. Jammie Thomas-Rasset (September 11, 2011)