The case involves Joel Tenenbaum, a Boston University graduate who in 2009 was for pirating 30 songs.

That award was by a district court judge last year.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit today heard oral arguments on appeals filed by Tenenbaum, who wants the award reduced even further or thrown out, and by the RIAA, which is seeking a bigger judgment.

The U.S. Department of Justice has also filed an appeal in the case, seeking clarity on the appropriate standard that should be used when computing damages in copyright infringement cases involving individuals.

A three-judge panel of the appellate court will consider the arguments and will likely issue a judgment sometime later this year.