AMERICAN record companies, in a desperate attempt to stamp out copyright piracy, launched lawsuits yesterday against 261 individuals whom they accuse of being “chronic” internet music traders.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) said it had filed federal suits across several US states. It is the first time the industry is targeting individuals who swap music files rather than the companies that provide them with file-swapping services.

RIAA’s members, which include Universal Music Group, Warner Music, Bertelsmann’s BMG, Sony Music and Britain’s EMI, have suffered a steep decline in sales in the US in the past two years because of people unlawfully swapping music over the internet.

Cary Sherman, president of RIAA, said: “When we are being victimised by illegal activities there comes a time when we have to defend ourselves.” US copyright law allows for damages of $750 (£473) to $150,000 for each song offered illegally on a person’s computer, but the association is open to settlement proposals from defendants.

In warning of more suits to come, it also announced an amnesty for those it had not targeted as yet. But it wants wrongdoers to acknowledge their guilt, wipe unauthorised songs and stop swapping files.

The latest offensive is intended to cut off the supply of songs available for downloading by targeting the most prolific “uploaders” of files. Mr Sherman said: “Our data shows that 90 per cent of all the songs are uploaded by only 10 per cent of offenders.”

Critics, such as those who offer file-swapping services, derided the suits, saying they would do little to stem online trading and that record companies risked further alienating music fans. Grokster, one such service, said: “The RIAA used to just shoot themselves in the foot, now they have shot themselves in the head. To sue their customers is not smart.”