By:  LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.

I just read a very interesting article on the ABA Journal website about how the Recording Industry Association of America isn’t going to sue the little guy (or gal) anymore for illegally downloading copyrighted music.  (See the ABA Journal Article: RIAA to Stop Suing Over Music Downloads; ISPs are New Copyright Cops.)  Instead, the RIAA apparently plans to leverage the cooperation of the Internet-service providers in the battle against illegal music downloads.  Apparentel, the RIAA has been working out a deal with the major ISPs to sent out an email nnotification when a someone makes music available online for others to download.  A Wall Street Journal article broke the story and explained that under the RIAA’s agreements with some major ISPs (though we don’t know which ones), the ISP will either forward the note to customers, or alert customers that they appear to be uploading music illegally, and ask them to stop. If the customers continue the file-sharing, they will get one or two more emails, perhaps accompanied by slower service from the provider. Finally, the ISP may cut off their access altogether.  Guess the RIAA’s strategy of suing individuals for illegal downloads wasn’t quite working.