The RIAA is asking for additional cooperation from ISPs in getting customers targeted by the RIAA’s file-sharing sting to cooperate, according to a letter recently leaked to P2P attorney Ray Beckerman. In it, the RIAA lays out its vision for how it would like ISPs to cooperate with its efforts to identify and sue those accused of sharing music over P2P networks. This includes communicating a standing offer of a $1,000 settlement discount should the subscriber settle before a lawsuit is filed against him or her. The letter also discloses plans for a settlement website that will launch later this year.
MediaSentry, the RIAA’s investigative arm, typically identifies suspected copyright infringers by IP address. One of the record labels whose music was discovered in a shared folder then becomes the lead plaintiff in a John Doe lawsuit. Via the discovery process, the ISP is then forced to turn over the name and address of the account owner who was using the IP address at the time of the alleged infringement. At that point, the John Doe case is discontinued and the label sues the individual fingered by the ISP.
Bypassing the courts
The RIAA wants to do an end run around this process, getting ISPs to start the collection agency work by sending out letters to the owners of IP addresses allegedly used for infringement. If the recipient of a such a letter contacts the RIAA, the labels get their positive ID and the chance to extract a sizable settlement without having to resort to the legal system.
In its letter (which has all information that would identify the recipient blacked out), the RIAA outlines how it would like ISPs’ help in its continued attacks against suspected file sharers. One of the big problems from the RIAA’s perspective is that of the ISPs’ communications. "Whether in a notice to a subscriber at the preservation or Doe stage, or in subsequent communication with subscribers," the RIAA writes, "it is vital that you avoid providing incorrect or misleading information." Instead, ISPs should use a model letter written by the RIAA to let subscribers know what’s going on.
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Bribary…that’s what this is
RIAA….that is what failure is
ok i`ll have the saskatoon city police on another line with me and they will recite shaw`s contract and canada`s fair use policy ha ha ha it`ll never work try it RIAA just you try it i`ll be waiting lol.
oh and this also won`t work for people who only have a cell phone as a phone funny how these hosers always land flat on their face.
Aren’t their laws against things like this. Large companies pressuring individuals to pay a lump of some or threaten legal action. I am fairly sure their is. Can someone notify the son of the exec running their legal department.