531 More File Sharers Targeted In Latest RIAA Legal Efforts

WASHINGTON - February 17, 2004 - Continuing the enforcement component of the campaign to provide a level playing field for legal online music services, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), on behalf of its member companies, today filed a new wave of copyright infringement lawsuits against 531 individual computer users offering substantial amounts of copyrighted music files for free on peer-to-peer networks.

Like the lawsuits brought in January against 532 illegal file sharers, the RIAA utilized the "John Doe" litigation process - which is used to sue defendants whose names aren't known. The RIAA today filed five lawsuits, each of which lists multiple numerical computer addresses, known as "IP" or Internet Protocol addresses. Taken together, the five suits include a total of 531 individual illegal file sharers. This latest round of legal actions was filed in federal courts in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Orlando and Trenton, New Jersey.

"Legal online music services are delivering a high-quality, consumer-friendly experience, and they're attracting new fans," said Cary Sherman, President, RIAA. "But they shouldn't have to compete with businesses based on illegal downloading. That's why we are sending a clear message that downloading or 'sharing' music from a peer-to-peer network without authorization is illegal, it can have consequences and it undermines the creative future of music itself."

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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.