Dec 22, 2003 : Anti-Piracy Campaign Dealt Major Blow

📅 December 22, 2003 - A ruling made Friday in a US appeals court has dealt a major blow to the recording industry's efforts to take legal action against online music pirating by ruling that it cannot force Internet service providers to identify their customers. The federal appeals panel overruled a lower court decision that granted the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) the right to see customer information from Internet service provider Verizon Communications Inc.

The court ruled that the group must first file a formal lawsuit before seeking to obtain customer information from Internet service providers through subpoena.
According to one legal observer, the ruling sets a clear precedent that will apply to all other Internet service providers.
The recording industry insisted it would continue in its efforts to fight online music pirating.
"Regardless of this decision, we will continue to defend our rights online on behalf of artists, songwriters and countless others involved in bringing music to the public," said Cary Sherman, president of the Washington-based RIAA. "We can and will continue to file copyright-infringement lawsuits against file sharers who engage in illegal activity."
In June, RIAA filed over 200 lawsuits targeting individual music swappers across the United States.