The Recording Industry Association Of America has launched the next stage in its anti-P2P campaign against US colleges by sending out a new wave of 503 pre-litigation letters to 58 universities. Which is a lot of stamps to lick.
The pre-litigation letters alert the colleges to illegal P2P activity being conducted by individuals on their campus computer network, and ask college administration to pass on the letter to the relevant student. That student is then given the option of committing to stopping using P2P and paying a reduced fine for past copyright violation before the RIAA launches formal legal proceedings against them.
According to Billboard, since the RIAA stepped up its P2P action against students back in February it has sent out a total of 2926 pre-litigation letters. Some colleges initially resisted taking on the role of RIAA police officers, though proposals for new US education legislation would force college management to take a more proactive role in stopping their students from illegally downloading music.