File-sharing students' settlements

Some 18,000 file-sharers have been sued by the recording industry trade association (RIAA) so far, about 1,000 of them university students, the Associated Press reports. The RIAA offers the students settlements that can cost them as much as $3,000. It "sent letters offering discounted settlements to 400 computer users at 13 universities in late February," with 116 settlements having been reached so far. The RIAA sent another such batch of letters out this week. The letters can be scary, so it's no surprise students settle. "A letter to one Ohio University student told her that she distributed 787 audio files, putting her total minimum potential liability at more than $590,000."