New Round of Lawsuits Against 717 Illegal File Sharers Includes Continued Focus On University Network Users Who Illegally Download Music

Suits Designed to Reinforce Illegal Downloading is a Crime even as Legitimate Music Sites Gain in Popularity

Washington - January 24, 2005 - More than seven hundred illegal file sharers were sued today by the music industry for copyright infringement as part of its ongoing effort to protect the work of record labels, musicians, writers, producers and others from theft through illegal downloading on the Internet. The number of university network users targeted in these suits is nearly three times the number sued in recent rounds, signaling a continuing effort to step up anti-piracy enforcement on college campuses.

The “John Doe” suits, brought by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on behalf of the major record companies, cite the individuals for illegally distributing copyrighted music on the Internet via unauthorized peer-to-peer services such as KaZaa, eDonkey and Limewire.

“Legitimate music services grow in popularity with more and more music being purchased everyday. But, the great music created by hard working writers, artists and technicians continues to be stolen at an alarming rate through illegitimate peer-to-peer services on the Internet,” said Steven Marks, General Counsel, RIAA. “If the legitimate music services are to continue to grow and prosper, we must continue to let individuals know that they bear responsibility for illegally stealing the work of those who make the music. And, we need to educate them about the widespread availability of legal music sites on the web.”

In recent months many universities across the country have reached -- and others are now negotiating -- agreements to offer legitimate music services to students on their campuses and networks. However, college and university network students continue to be among the most frequent users of illegal peer-to-peer sites for obtaining music.

Among those sued today are 68 users of computer networks at 23 universities and colleges including Bentley College, Bridgewater State College, University of Massachusetts (Lowell), Georgetown University, Harvard University Medical School, Old Dominion University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Illinois State University, The Ohio State University, Ohio University, University of Kentucky, College of Mount Saint Vincent, Pace University, SUNY at Morrisville, Texas A&M University, University of South Florida, University of Southern Mississippi, Indiana Institute of Technology, Indiana University, Wabash College, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor).

“Today’s university and college students are tomorrow’s leaders,” noted Marks. “In a world that is becoming more and more connected through the wonders of digital technology, students need to understand that just because someone else’s property or creations can be obtained easily and freely without anyone seemingly knowing, there are consequences because it is stealing.”

Marks added that there are now plenty of legal alternatives to illegal downloading available to anyone with access to the Internet. According to the new IFPI 2005 Digital Music report, the number of legitimate music sites worldwide quadrupled to more than 230 in 2004 with an available music catalogue that doubled to more than one million songs. In addition, purchased downloads of songs were up more than tenfold to more than 200 million.

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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.