RIAA might sue less

That's my take-away upon seeing that the recording industry is saying illegal file-sharing has been "contained." RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol said the industry's P2P problem isn't over, but online music sales are "thriving" and file-sharing is "flat," USATODAY reports. "The RIAA has sued just over 18,000 individuals for sharing songs online, with 4,500 settling for about $4,000 per case. Album sales are still down — about 3% this year. But Bainwol says digital sales — up 77% — make up for the shortfall." A San Jose Mercury News blogger interviewed an analyst who offers some possible explanations (some with tongue in cheek) for what looks to be a major strategy shift. Across the pond, Sweden's justice minister said his government might legalize file-sharing and, to compensate music companies, impose a surcharge on broadband Internet service, Sweden's English-language news service The Local reports.