Via WhatDoIKnow by way of the New York Times (registration required), it seems that the evil gluttons at the RIAA have won a decisive battle in their quest to destroy independent labels and artists (under the guise of stemming the flow of unauthorized mp3 sharing).

Basically the RIAA convinced a federal judge to force internet service provider Verizon to hand over the private, confidential information of a subscriber that the RIAA suspected of making freely available hundreds of unauthorized .mp3's.

I cannot tell you, gentle reader how disturbing this is. In effect this decision sets a precedent that will give the RIAA indiscriminate powers to violate your rights as set forth by that old piece of paper... what was that, oh yeah the The Constitution of the United States of America, and it's sidekick The Bill of Rights, the Dynamic DUO of personal liberties and rights!

What's next, the Internet Geheimstatspolizei (Gestapo) headed up by Reichsfuhrer-SS Hilary Rosen?