An Overview

Recording Industry To Begin Collecting Evidence And Preparing Lawsuits Against File Sharers Who Illegally Offer Music Online

WHAT: Starting tomorrow the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) will begin gathering evidence and preparing lawsuits against individual computer users who are illegally offering to “share” large amounts of copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks.

WHY: Stealing music over the Internet is no different than shoplifting CDs out of a record store. It’s wrong, and it’s against the law. It’s also a very public activity -- meaning that offenders can easily be identified. There are many legal and inexpensive alternatives to obtain music on the Internet.

WHEN: Starting tomorrow, Thursday (June 26th), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) will begin gathering evidence and preparing lawsuits against individual computer users who are illegally offering large amounts of copyrighted music over peer-to-peer networks. The RIAA expects to use the data it collects as the basis for filing what could ultimately be thousands of lawsuits charging individual peer-to-peer music distributors with copyright infringement. The first round of suits could take place as early as mid-August.

WHO: The recording industry will be filing the lawsuits, with the support of a broad coalition of music community leaders.

THE MESSAGE: The law is clear and the message to those who are distributing substantial quantities of music online should be equally clear: --- this activity is illegal, you are not anonymous when you do it, and engaging in it can have real consequences. There are many legal and inexpensive alternatives to obtain music on the internet.

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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States.

In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies. The RIAA® also certifies Gold®, Platinum®, Multi- Platinum™ and Diamond sales awards as well as Los Premios De Oro y Platino™, an award celebrating Latin music sales.