Eugene, Ore. - Oregon's Attorney General has filed a motion to quash the Recording Industry Association of America's (RIAA) subpoena for the identities of suspected music file-swappers on the University of Oregon's campus network, the Associated Press reported.

The filing represents the first known instance of a university itself seeking to quash an RIAA subpoena, rather than students, as well as the first time a State Attorney General has gotten involved in such a lawsuit.

In the filing, Oregon Attorney General Hardy Myers maintains that the university has attempted to identify the John Doe students named in the subpoena, but evidence provided by the RIAA isn't sufficient to identify them.

It cites obstacles such as double-occupancy dorm rooms, and the lack of an identity authentication requirement to access campus networks as having hampered its efforts.

"Plaintiffs' subpoena is unduly burdensome and overbroad. It seeks information that the University does not readily possess," the AG writes in the filing.

"In order to attempt to comply with the subpoena, the University would be forced to undertake an investigation to create discovery for Plaintiffs" that it is not obligated under law to perform.  

Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/yw9y9l (AP)

http://tinyurl.com/33978b (Recording Industry vs. The People)

http://www.riaa.com