The Music Cops' Pick Of The Pops

By Chris Taylor Monday, Aug. 18, 2003
    • The Recording Industry Association of America has subpoenaed at least 1,000 Internet users for trading copyrighted music. But some tracks are more likely to get you in trouble than others. RIAA officials won't say why certain artists seem to be targeted, but here's a listener's guide to the risk factors, based on subpoenas issued thus far.

    AVRIL LAVIGNE The Canadian teen is 2003's riskiest download. Complicated was cited in more than 50 subpoenas [THREE HANDCUFFS]

    THE EAGLES Better pay if you want to check out Hotel California. As for the band's other hits, there's less need to worry [ONE AND HALF HANDCUFFS]

    BUSTA RHYMES The rapper's collaboration with P. Diddy, Pass the Courvoisier, raised a red flag more than 30 times [THREE HANDCUFFS]

    MICHAEL JACKSON The King of Pop, who blasted the RIAA, has seen nearly every single from his Bad album targeted [TWO HANDCUFFS]

    MARVIN GAYE Few pre-1975 songs made the subpoena hit list — with the notable exception of Gaye's Let's Get It On [TWO AND HALF HANDCUFFS]

    FAITH HILL She was one of the few country stars to even make the list. Garth Brooks downloaders, rest easy — for now [ONE HANDCUFF]