However, the files shared on this network are not always "free". Most music files (or MP3's) and movies are "ripped" from the source, usually a CD or DVD, and distributed out onto the net via Kazaa. I personally use Kazaa and have seen whole album compilations and movies not even released to the public yet.

The Recording Industry Association of America has taken steps to prevent this pirating of copyrighted material, and in the past, has caused the demise of pred

ecessors such as Napster. Until now, users have taken little note of the RIAA's actions. They would shrug it off, and just hop on the latest peer-to-peer bandwagon. But recently, the RIAA has started firmly putting it's foot down and is issuing subpeona's to Internet Service Providers (ISP's) to release information about randomly chosen users infringing upon copyright laws. One case involved the ISP Verizon ordered to "disclose the identity of a P2P user who has allegedly shared hundreds of copywrited files." (Maguire)

I asked my friend what he thought about this.

Another friend has related to me an alternate to Kazaa.

"...guessing that means the RIAA wants to bring a few high-profile legal actions against extremely high-volume traders, in hopes of scaring off the larger horde of P2P users." (Maguire)

So what can the RIAA

Some topics in this essay:
ISP Verizon, , Recording Industry, Association America, Fleming RIAA, Kazaa There's, CD DVD, MusicNet Maguire, Providers ISP's, music files, free music, free music files, recording industry, files maguire,