On morning TV news today they showed limewire being used by one 12 yr old girl, and her father got a legal package from the music industry because she was sharing her files (1200 of them, which is rather a lot)

They traced her by using the IP address which comes up when you find an MP3 that you like, and then go on to look at what other files the person "sharing" has on their computer! The sharer's IP address is displayed clearly in the Limewire panel above the files list.

Is this the only way they can track you? if so, is there any way to prevent giving out your IP address other than to become a Leecher? Are IP providers reporting people to the music industry or are the music publishers just grabbing the IP address and then forcing the IP providers to reveal the users real name and address.

While illegal file sharing is not a great idea, a family computer could be used by up to five people at different times, so why should the person paying for the IP service be the one held to account? It is a bit like a car being photographed speeding from the rear - there is no way of being sure it was being driven by the registered owner - it could be used by several family members?

Are the music industry guilty of breaching human rights in getting this private information simply by leaning on the IP providers.