Boston University graduate student appeals ruling that required him to pay for sharing songs

Mass. student appeals ruling in song-sharing case

BOSTON — A Boston University graduate student is appealing a federal judgment that required him to pay $67,500 in damages for illegally downloading and sharing songs online.

A Harvard law professor has filed the notice to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit, seeking to overturn the penalty against Joel Tenenbaum.

Tenenbaum was sued by music companies who said he violated copyright rules. He admitted downloading songs between 1999 and 2007.

The jury found the Providence, R.I., native liable and assessed a $675,000 damage award last year. Last month, a judge said the amount was “unconstitutionally excessive” and trimmed it to 10 percent of the original amount.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs have filed an appeal of that decision.