The lawyer for Jammie Thomas, the only person to actually go to trial on an RIAA copyright infringement case, is quitting from the case.

Normally the other side would allow the case down to be stood down for a month or two while the person finds another pro-bono lawyer. However it seems that the RIAA is terrified that they will lose this appeal and is playing ugly.

They are objecting to Thomas getting another lawyer and are demanding that the woman defend herself against the most expensive lawyers the RIAA can field. It is unlikely that the any Judge in the case would agree to let the RIAA get its way on this point so it is really pointless them making it.   However it is further proof that the outfit really has no concept of PR and will probably motivate hundreds of people to make a stand by pirating another DVD.

However some US lawyers are starting to wonder if the fact that it objected to Thomas getting legal advice for her appeal is grounds for unacceptable behaviour by an attorney at law and could get the outfit sanctioned.