In further proof of how the RIAA believes they can sustain an industry on litigation and scare tactics, some recent figures have come out involving them and their lobbying practices. Last year, it seems the RIAA tallied up over $2 million trying to get tougher copyright laws passed. That's quite a bit of money just to try and persuade the government to your side, but might be a drop in the bucket should their overall agenda be allowed to continue.
The RIAA as an organization - though not necessarily its members as separate entities - has made clear they aren't willing to adapt to newer technologies and markets, seeking only to punish those who in fact are some of the best customers of the music industry.
But their current business model has been shown to have flaws. They have admitted losing money in litigation against file sharers, and aren't willing to share what little money they do bring in with the artists they are claiming to protect. Clearly they will try and continue to lobby for even more strict copyright laws, but in the meantime it puzzles us how the top recording companies keep using this front all while negotiating individual contracts on the side with online music stores like Apple's iTunes.