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RIAA files 754 new file-trading lawsuits
By IDG News Service staff

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has filed 754 new lawsuits against alleged file-traders using peer-to-peer services, the trade group announced Thursday.

The 754 new lawsuits, filed in federal district courts across the country, included 20 alleged file-traders using university computer networks. Universities affected include the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University in New York, Old Dominion University in Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University.

With the new round of lawsuits, the RIAA has now sued more than 7,700 alleged file-traders since September 2003, including more than 3,000 lawsuits since Oct. 1 of this year.

Residents of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Georgia, Missouri, New York, Connecticut, Illinois and the District of Columbia were among those targeted in the latest round of lawsuits.

RIAA President Cary Sherman, said in a statement that the enforcement efforts help pay-per-download music services flourish. "With legal online retailers still forced to compete against illegal free networks, the playing field remains decidedly unbalanced," Sherman said. "That’s why continued enforcement against individuals stealing and distributing music illegally is essential, as is holding accountable the businesses that intentionally promote and profit from this theft."

Posted December 17, 2004 12:51 AM |