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I applause you guys for trying to do something about this, but I don't don't think it will even work. First and foremost, mainstream company have already tired what you are about to attempt and they spend a lot more on lawyer fees and last time I check their stuff is still online. Until they are successful then you should copy. I'm sure they have even smarter people and better lawyers.
Secondly, it unlike you'll catch the biggest fish or the biggest abuser as they are more than likely to mask their identity. Criminal are smart and they know know how to hide behind the screen. Although some people have talk about how they can mask their IP, there is actually a better way to hide your real IP and remain annoymous and I'm pretty sure some of you know what I'm talking about but I rather not discuss it here to encourage people to do illegal things.
Furthermore regardless if you paid your lawyers or not (as I've been hearing lawyer in some case are working for a cut of the settlement) you always have to remember that lawyers do not have their client interest as their number one priority, your interest is second, behind theirs. That is, they will take care of you, but only in a way that will make sure they get the most profit. So no surprising they'll do anything to attempt to get a settlement to make sure they'll get paid first. In fact, if they are successful do you really thing they'll want to really shut down all these site for you? If these site no longer exist they will no longer have you as clients. And don't forget the RIAA have successfully sue some people but that don't solve the problem nor do they have successfully attempt to scare people from stop uploading/downing their music or close down the site.
I'm not suggesting not to use lawyers. I'm suggesting use them but you need to guide them to what you want done, in a creative way (i.e go after their host instead of them directly or other methods). Tubes and torrnets have been skimming or finding loop holes to allow them to easy bypass or win cases (i.e DMCA). You need to be creative and do the same and stop suing them by the letter of the law. Creative and indirect method unfortunately will not equal settlement and something lawyers do not like as they will not able to take a cut for profits, but it the best way IMHO. If mainstream does not show any major success after years and years of attempt, I just don't know how these lawyers think they can win when I'm sure the RIAA have more tools and lawyers.
Finally people always have to remember that even cases where the RIAA wins, it doesn't always translate into money as you probably see why as an average Joe can't pay back $100K or so that they were order to pay. Furthermore, many people who are internet/tech savvy are college students or young adult. Try even sue a college student for just $10K and see if they have the money. So even collecting the dough is tough. And sooner or later you'll find out (and these lawyers will find out if they are working for a cut of the settlement) that the cost to sue these son of a bitches by the letter of the law is more costly than they think if they aren't collecting. A Sony or BMG executive stated something like this when he or she was call to testify in a recent case. I'm sure you guys know what case I'm talking about. That's why I'm suggesting go after them indirectly and it will be more cost effective and more likely successful - although your lawyers will not like this and attempt to steer you away from such method because they know they'll earn much less.
Either way, as I've said before, I hope you can prove I'm wrong but I'm sure some people here would agree with what I'm saying.
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