The Recording Industry Association of America filed a new round of lawsuits against 532 file sharers last week for copyright infringement.
These lawsuits were filed using the "John Doe" process, whereby the plaintiff files suit against an unknown defendant.
These lawsuits identify defendants by their Internet Protocol, or "IP" address.
The new process for filing suits comes in response to a ruling by a D.C. circuit court of appeals that declared the subpoena method provided by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act unconstitutional.
A court subpoena requires an Internet service provider to divulge the name of the owner of the IP address in question to the RIAA. Typically, for a subpoena to be granted in a civil case, a lawsuit must be ongoing. However, the company used the DMCA to obtain the identity of an individual without first suing them.
The December decision was a victory for Verizon Communications Inc., leader of the opposition to the RIAA's earlier methods.
According to RIAA spokesman Jonathan Lamey, before the D.C. court's ruling, the suspected file sharer would be sent a letter and given 10 days to respond.
The 10 days allowed for file sharers to reach a settlement with the RIAA.
In accordance with the ruling, the RIAA can no longer obtain the identity of a suspected file sharer before filing suit.
The "John Doe" type of legal maneuvering has been used before by plaintiffs filing suit against unknown defendants.
For example, Rolex filed suit against unknown individuals attempting to pass off imitations of its watches as original, thereby infringing upon its copyright.
However, "this is the first time it is being used to target people who are illegally sharing music files," Lamey said.
The purpose of the lawsuits is not to make money, nor to be vindictive, Lamey said, adding that the RIAA hopes to "send a message that this activity can have consequences."
Offenders in this round of lawsuits possessed on average more than 800 illegal songs.
There is "no magic formula," Lamey added, reminding students that they are not immune from lawsuits and that sharing one song is still illegal.
According to Robert Terrell, associate general counsel for the University, lawsuits have yet to be filed against Penn students.
However, that is not to say that there will not be any in the future, Terrell said.
University Information Security officer David Millar warned students to "be aware that the likelihood is growing that copyright holders will try to learn their identity" and that those persons will face "legal action for infringement."
Reaction is mixed among Penn students.
College junior Jorge Agraz expressed his opinion that "people will still be" downloading files illegally despite the lawsuits.
College freshman Chelsea Albright said the knowledge of lawsuits, in addition to the other negative effects of illegal file sharing, would deter her from further engaging in illegal file sharing.
"I was downloading music and it messed up my computer. ... I had to take it in and get it fixed."
"Now I use iTunes," she said.
