CircleID

After years of suing thousands of people for allegedly stealing music via the Internet, the recording industry is set to drop its legal assault as it searches for more effective ways to combat online music piracy.

The decision represents an abrupt shift of strategy for the industry, which has opened legal proceedings against about 35,000 people since 2003. Critics say the legal offensive ultimately did little to stem the tide of illegally downloaded music. And it created a public-relations disaster for the industry, whose lawsuits targeted, among others, several single mothers, a dead person and a 13-year-old girl.

Read full story: Wall Street Journal

Updates:  UPDATED Dec 28, 2008 9:23 AM PST
One ISP says RIAA must pay for piracy protection CNet News
ISP to RIAA: Pay up or do your own dirty work ZDNet
Analysis: RIAA Strategy Shift Mired in Murky Legal Waters Wired
ISP tells RIAA piracy protection doesn't come free Ars Technica
The RIAA's Rocky Road Ahead Slashdot
Movie Industry Also Working With ISPs On 'Three Strikes' Policy DSLReports

Related topics: Access Providers, Cybercrime, Law, P2P, Telecom