RIAA softens lawsuit approach

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has targeted another 200 users for sharing music files over the internet, but this time is giving them fair warning.

The RIAA said that it will write to a further 204 people who it has identified as serious swappers of music files.

It will give them 10 days in which to reply to the warning letter. If they fail to do so, the RIAA will press charges.

This approach is in direct contrast to the first batch of 261 lawsuits, which arrived out of the blue and provoked heavy criticism.

US Senator Norm Coleman questioned the industry's stance after the RIAA included people who claimed never to have shared music files and children including a 12 year-old girl.

So far it is believed that 64 people from the first round of lawsuits have settled with the RIAA out of court.

The latest batch of people targeted will also be given the chance of paying an unspecified lump sum.

Although it is reported that the RIAA wants up to $150,000 per person, most of the lawsuits which have been settled were for $2,000 to $5,000 each.

RIAA president Cary Sherman said: "In light of the comments we have heard, we want to go the extra mile and offer illegal file sharers an additional chance to work this out short of legal action."