The RIAA has no plans on stopping their fight against downloading music off the internet illegally by suing the individual downloaders. By suing people, the RIAA had hoped to discourage people from downloading music for free, which they believe impacts the sale of CDs. Has it been effective? Actually, it hasn't.
Charli Johnson, a twenty-one-year-old student in Winfield, Kansas, who settled for about $3,000 last summer, echoes many of the lawsuit recipients when she says, "Personally, I don't think it's going to stop anyone from downloading. All my friends know I got sued and how much I got sued for -- and they're still downloading music. It's not a reality for them."
In August of 2003, which was one month before lawsuits were being filed against downloaders, there were over 3.85 million people using peer-to-peer networks to obtain music for free. As of April 2005, there are now 8.63 million people downloading music illegally.
You mean, continue to extort broke college kids? ;p
Seriously, not a single case has gone to trial. The RIAA knows they don't have much of a chance in a real court case, so they throw out a settlement offer. Anyone in their right mind knows the RIAA could keep them tied up in court for years without breaking a sweat. Settling for a few grand is a lot cheaper than losing everything and then some. So most people cave.
This is why they only go after broke-ass college kids. Less resistance that way.
Justice is for those who can Afford it in this country, I'm sorry to say. Whoever has the cash to outlast their opponent wins by default.
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