Heirs given 60 days to grieve before depositions

In the case of Warner et al v. Scantlebury, yet another individual was targeted by seven record labels looking for restitution of the horrible damages inflicted by the alleged downloading of music files.

Larry Scantlebury had the temerity to die before the case was resolved, though. Again, the cause of death is unknown, but the RIAA did get a hold of a death certificate. It was filed as support for a motion to "stay the case for 60 days and extend all deadlines 60 days," filed by the record labels' lawyers.

"Plaintiffs do not believe it appropriate to discuss a resolution of the case with the family so close to Mr. Scantlebury's passing. Plaintiffs therefore request a stay of 60 days to allow the family additional time to grieve."

Because the litigants believed that the case was nearing a resolution before Larry's passing, it wants to move on with the proceedings rather than drop the case, and will request depositions from his heirs after the 60-day grieving period. Considering that deceased Enron executive Ken Lay's assets may be safe from legal action after his death, the recording industry's tenacity in this case is astounding.