The firm is one of several legal firms listed on a Web site — www.subpoenadefense.org — that has been set up as a resource for people served by RIAA subpoenas.

The subpoenas themselves raise other new legal issues, such as whether they interfere with federal laws designed to protect the identities of minors on the Internet, Peterson said. This part actually IS helpful, having a sympathetic, savvy attorney to call is golden.

Verizon Communications, which has been fighting to overturn the law, said it has told users they have seven days to hire an attorney and decide whether to challenge the subpoena.

If Verizon doesn't hear from the users within seven days, the company said, it will turn over the user's personal information to the recording industry.

But if an attorney contacts Verizon by the seven-day deadline, Maureen Flanagan said, "we don't turn over the names to the RIAA."

In other words, call a freaking attorney.

RIAA spokeswoman Weiss said that while her group expects a consumer backlash, it will press ahead because the record industry believes it has no other choice.

"We won't win any popularity contests. We don't really care what people think, except we want them to know that it (file-sharing) is illegal," Weiss said. "It's unpopular, it's not pretty, but it's the right thing to do for all the people involved in the music industry."

If by "right thing" you mean the most counterproductive, suicidal, vengeful, disproportionate, stupid thing to do, then it sure is! Rock on.