Abstract
A federal judge in Pennsylvania has ruled that Internet service providers (ISPs) that receive subpoenas under so-called John Doe lawsuits to disclose the identities of subscribers must first notify those subscribers of the subpoena and provide them with information about how to challenge it. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has relied on such lawsuits to identify individuals it suspects of violating copyrights, and a spokesperson from the group said the RIAA has "always encouraged ISPs to inform their subscribers of pending subpoenas." The ruling only applies to ISPs in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the notices sent to those targeted by lawsuits must explain the limited jurisdiction of the order as well as provide a list of attorneys the defendants can contact. Consumer groups praised the ruling, saying it offers users another level of protection from the RIAA's lawsuits. Separately, the RIAA filed another 750 lawsuits against individuals for illegal file sharing, among them 25 students at 13 colleges and universities.