The Recording Industry Ass. of America (RIAA) has issued a further 493 lawsuits against alleged music file-sharers bring the total number of individuals it has sued to almost 3000.

Of course, it doesn't know who any of these people are, but it hopes to winkle out their identities by gaining court orders that will force ISPs to divulge the information.

However, it does have the names of 24 individuals, which its also issued lawsuits against yesterday having failed to reach out-of-court settlements with them.

The RIAA began sueing file-sharers last September. It said it has settle some 400 cases, with alleged copyright infringers coughing up on average $3000.

In April this year, the organisation admitted it had ended its amnesty programme, originally offered to allow file-sharers to mend their ways with impunity. ®

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