RIAA Threatens and P2P Networks Shut Down

A few days ago, RIAA confirmed that it has sent a series of legal cease&desist warnings to 7 companies, but it didn’t specify their names.

It didn’t take long before the first results showed up: WinMX, one of the most popular file-sharing networks has closed down. FrontCode Technologies’ site, the company in charge of the WinMX application, is also unavailable.

Kevin Hearn, FrontCode Technologies’s president, was nowhere to be found; it seems that he didn’t return any of the phone calls and messages in weeks.

Another company targeted by the RIAA, eDonkey, has closed the New York office and none of the top management representatives could be contacted for statements.

BearShare and LimeWire, two more operate file-sharing networks, are believed to be included in RIAA’s list as well. Their officials declined any comments.

RIAA considers that any file-sharing network has to reconsider its position, after both Grokster and Kazaa have lost the lawsuits they were involved in.

The companies operating such networks have two options: to install filters that prevent users from sharing files that infringe copyright, or to shut down their entire operation.

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