The RIAA is so keen to crack down on file-sharing networks that they recently sought an amendment to a pending anti-terrorism bill.

In short, RIAA lobbyists wanted to be legally protected from any damage done to computers in the pursuit of copyright protection. The justification for this request was that the forthcoming US anti-terrorism bill could undermine the RIAA's ability to combat online music piracy.

But the RIAA's demands were thwarted due to opposition by legislators. If it had been passed, it would have given the RIAA carte blanche to act as judge and executioner. And, as history has shown, vigilante justice often fails because the innocent get caught in the crossfire. Or the vigilantes get carried away with their activities and attempt to become the law.

What appears to be a more likely RIAA strategy is to conduct activities against the major file-sharing services using software that puts great strain on their resources and reliability. Let's face it, the court case with Napster is still dragging on and, with the music subscription services coming online later in the year, it is in the vested interests of the RIAA to protect its interests.

Whether this means that activities such as denial of service attacks on file-sharing services are 'fair game' is another thing.

Essential reading covering this in greater detail:
RIAA: We'll smother song swappers
A License to Virus - The RIAA Wants to Hack Your PC
RIAA Wants to Hack Your PC (great reading)
Look Out Pirates: RIAA Wants to Hack Your PC