The RIAA had a slew of lawyers, Pamela and Jeffery had none. So Jeffery and Pamela, representing themselves lost $40,050.

Paying the RIAA because you represented yourself is unfortunate. Intentionally destroying evidence of computer activity after being ordered by a judge to preserve it, was the shooting of your own foot that an attorney would have advised against.

Prior to this ruling, the Howells had debunked the RIAA’s “making available” theory. This decision will give the RIAA even more bragging rights, but will that spark the public to buy their music or hate them more?