Music industry targets Internet pirates

A new wave of legal action is being prepared against the most prolific Internet song-swappers.

A new wave of legal action is being prepared against the most prolific Internet song-swappers.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) says it is planning to sue 24 individuals in Denmark for trading music files online. It has warned Britain, France and Sweden that they may be added to the list of target countries.

It is part of an expanding global crackdown on Internet piracy, music industry officials said.

"It's inevitable," said Mr  Jay Berman, IFPI chief executive, when asked of the likelihood those countries would be included.

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He added that Japan, the world's second-largest music market, is also a strong candidate for legal actions as recorded music sales there continue to slide.

The music industry has already sued 2,947 people in the United States and has announced more than 230 suits in Denmark, Germany, Italy and Canada.

The music industry blames the extensive online trade of free music for contributing to a massive slide in recorded music sales.