The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced its decision to change its policy on dealing with unauthorized music sharing individuals.

Over the past 6 years, more than 35,000 people have been sued on accusations of music piracy but from this point on, new measures will be taken. The RIAA is currently reaching agreements with several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in order to try a new approach on dealing with the problem. The companies will identify the customers believed to "make music available online for others to take," and will send them e-mails asking them to stop. The first three will warn the users about the risks that they are exposing themselves to, after which their Internet connection will be completely cut off.

The association explained that even though it will no longer be involved with mass lawsuits, it will still take to court the heavy users and will also make sure that all current lawsuits will be settled.

"This means more music fans are going to be harassed by the music industry," says Fred von Lohmann, senior staff attorney of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, whose representatives appeared extremely displeased with RIAA’s announcement.

The matter is unlikely to be resolved any time soon, as the illegal sharing and public downloads is a well known, easy and widely spread activity. The way to go might actually be to address the general public and explain that if an artist sells well and his record company makes a profit, that artist will be supported for new projects and albums.