The Recording Industry Association of America has set in motion a summer of lawsuits by sending subpoenas to various US internet service providers in order to find out the contact details of web users they believe are serious downloaders. It follows the RIAA's announcement last month that it would now be pursuing individuals following a court ruling making it easier to track down copyright violators. Word is several hundred lawsuits are planned for this summer - sharply escalating the industry's battle against online piracy.
David Blumenthal from Earthlink – one of the ISPs who have been asked for consumer contact information – has said they will assist the RIAA where they are legally obliged to do so, but that they disapprove of its tactics. "We disagree with the method that is being used here and while we support the right of them to enforce copyrights, we think this is the wrong method for doing so. We're urging the RIAA and other copyright holders to find a less intrusive method for protecting their intellectual property."