US music industry steps up its war against illegal downloads

The US music industry has renewed its campaign against renegade fans who share music over the Internet for free.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has launched 500 fresh lawsuits against file-swappers in an effort to clamp down on the practice, which is blamed for slumping record sales.

'The debate isn't digital versus plastic,' said RIAA chairman and chief executive Mitch Bainwol.

'It is legitimate versus illegitimate. It's iTunes and the new Napster and Wal-Mart, Amazon, Dell, Real, Microsoft and others versus Kazaa, Imesh and Grokster.

'It's whether or not digital music will be enjoyed in a fashion that supports the creative process or one that robs it of its future,' he added.

The RIAA wants to protect the rights of copyright holders and create a level playing field for legitimate online music services. It has sued more than 900 individuals to date. About 230 cases have been concluded, with a further 100 reaching settlements worth an average of $3,000 (£1,652).

IFPI, the global recording industry body, predicts that legal online music will take off in 2004, following the success of Apple iTunes, Napster and Rhapsody. The services are expected to reach Europe in the first half of 2004.

No global protocols exist yet, and industry bodies are mobilising within their own borders to educate consumers on legitimate usage. On Monday, French interest groups launched the national Web site www.promusicfrance.com.