If you read the below article, the RIAA is having all ISP customers accounts cut off when they are found to have illegal MP3 files. The ISP's have no choice but to turn off the account under orders of the DMCA and the DOJ initiated by the RIAA.
Online piracy is illegal
Tue Dec 10, 7:39 AM ET Add Op/Ed - USA TODAY to My Yahoo!
Record labels together with technology companies are meeting consumers' desire to access music online. Looking back over the past year, the legitimate marketplace has grown by leaps and bounds. Four different services now offer content from every major music company, and several others provide a rich array of music and listening options. Music fans can enjoy hundreds of thousands of tracks in many different ways.
But what these services do not yet have is enough customers. No business can be expected to compete against an illegal service that is offering the same product for free.
If the legitimate services are to have a chance to succeed in the marketplace, we must take action against those who trample the copyrights of songwriters, artists and record labels.
The notion that pursuing peer-to-peer network piracy violates personal privacy is just plain wrong.
First, no one enjoys the right to commit a federal crime anonymously, and downloading or uploading copyrighted works such as software, movies or music without permission is clearly illegal.
Second, users open up their computers to the peer-to-peer networks, not copyright owners. It's like walking down the street holding up a sign and then being mad that someone has read it.
And third, colleges and others can address this problem in non-invasive ways, such as using filtering systems and bandwidth-management controls.
Ironically, it's the peer-to-peer networks that actually put users' privacy at greatest risk. A recent study by Hewlett-Packard showed that typical users of a network such as Kazaa inadvertently expose personal files, including credit card information and e-mail, for millions to rummage through.
Given the scope of the problem, we are taking measured steps to combat online piracy. These efforts are a necessary means to an important end, which is an expanding and dynamic legitimate online marketplace -- a reality achieved after a year of progress and multiple new licensing agreements from the major record companies.
Hilary Rosen is chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America (news - web sites).