Being a semi-professional musician, I have wrestled with this since day one. I understand the RIAA needs to revamp it's entire way of deliving it's product, however there is just no argument that DLing copyrighted material is stealing.
If the artist wants to give their work away fine, but no one can make a reasonable, just argument for obtaining a illegal copy of a copyrighted media product. The RIAA is trying to protect it's investments with these stupid lawsuits, and although I think they are doing it in a very marketable destructive way, I hope it will lead them to discover a more viable way to deliver it's product material.
I remember when the Smashing Pumpkins released Machina II directly to the internet as their little way of thanking the fans for listening to their band over the years. They grew tired of the record companies, and promoted free music to get their stuff out.
Does this mean that anyone who downloads SP material can be sued by RIAA?