In what could be called the final blow to online music trading, a federal court in Washington has ruled that Verizon Communications, an Internet Service Provider in the USA, must disclose the identity of an Internet subscriber on its service, that has been suspected of exchanging illegal music files online. Verizon is appealing the rule, however, if this decision stands, it would be a huge win for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), as it would set a precedent for future lawsuits against individuals. It would allow the RIAA to sue millions of Americans who are suspected of trading music illegally.

“Plainly we think the decision is wrong,” said Barry Steinhardt, director of the Technology and Liberty program at the American Civil Liberties Union. “Increasingly the right to speak anonymously online is being eroded or even lost.”

The reason the RIAA and other organizations can sue anyone trading digital media is because of a law passed in the USA, called the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which allows a person or firm to protect illegal distribution of their copyrighted digital products. The law is so vague, that it allows large firms to press charges against anyone. The problem is that most users are unaware they are committing a crime.






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