Son fights back against RIAA

After the RIAA dismissed its file sharing suit against Patti Santangelo last year, it decided to go after her children. Both Michelle Santangelo, age 20, and Robert Santangelo, 16, were targeted by the RIAA after the record labels determined that they were responsible for whatever file-sharing went on in the Santangelo household.

In his answer, Robert Santangelo denies the charges and demands a trial by jury, while accusing the record labels of engaging in a "wide-ranging conspiracy to defraud the courts of the United States." Santangelo also calls the labels a "cartel" that acts in collusion, violating US antitrust laws by "entering into an unlawful agreement among themselves to prosecute and to dispose of all cases in an identical manner and through common lawyers."

Indeed, Santangelo and his attorneys appear to be using every entry in the file-sharing defense playbook in this case. They argue that making music available does not constitute infringement; that the statute of limitations on the alleged infringement (which supposedly occurred five years ago) has expired; that the music industry has "enticed and encouraged children to download music for free," and that the damages sought by the RIAA are unconstitutionally excessive.