File-sharing users face pricy court fights

Dave Greubel stared at the Star-Telegram article in astonishment. There was his name, sandwiched into a list of strangers. The headline on the Aug. 25 article: “10 sued over downloads.”

Greubel, 51, of Arlington, learned from the article that he was being sued by a group of record companies and accused of distributing copyrighted music online.

Greubel isn’t alone. Despite the popularity of legal download service iTunes, illegal music sharing is still widespread. Since 2003, the Recording Industry Association of America has sued more than 18,000 people nationwide, including more than 60 people in Tarrant County. More than 4,000 cases have been settled. None has gone to trial.