NOTE:  I do not endorse, support, encourage, or engage in the illegal downloading of music through P2P networks or via other means.  This article should not be misconstrued as enticement to illegally acquire music or other content online.

In a move destined to further upset the music-consuming public, the Recording Industry Artists' Association (RIAA) has continued to file lawsuits against alleged Peer-to-Peer (P2P) music sharers and downloaders.  Armed only with its belief that a particular IP address was used to download or upload illegal music, and relying on ISP records to tell it which customer was probably using that address at the time, the RIAA is accusing people of illegally downloading music from P2P networks.  Never mind that these people don't have P2P software on their machines.  Never mind that they're even willing to have their PCs inspected to prove that.  Never mind that some of them don't know what a P2P network is or have any knowledge of the ID that the RIAA claims they were using at the time.  No, in the "court of the RIAA" you are guilty.  Not guilty until proven innocent, just flat out guilty.

Knowing that it has considerable economic muscle behind it, the RIAA is bullying people into settling lawsuits with it.  Even those who insist they've done nothing wrong are paying up, simply because it's cheaper to give in than it is to fight the suits in court.  Talk about "The Man" sticking it to "The Little Guy"...

Here's the latest example of the RIAA's bullying tactics from Wired magazine...

Fortunately, this woman isn't taking it lying down...

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