Music industry says it will stop suing illegal downloaders

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has announced that it plans to end lawsuits against people who illegally download music.

In a statement issued Friday (December 19), the RIAA declared that it will instead team up with internet service providers to prevent music piracy.

"We think this is going to be a different form of stick, but we absolutely think this will be a meaningful alternative approach that will have a significant impact," an RIAA spokeswoman told Reuters.

The RIAA, which represents major record labels including Warner Music Group Corp, EMI, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, will pursue lawsuits that have already been filed, but have said that they do not intend to file new suits.

Instead they will issue warnings through ISPs to those who download music illegally. If users fail to heed warnings, their internet service may be disconnected, the RIAA said.

Since 2003, the music industry filed approximately 35,000 music piracy lawsuits.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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