Aimster calls for donors in legal battle

Stung by a lawsuit from the Recording Industry Association of America that alleges it violates copyright laws, file-swapping company Aimster is asking for financial help from fans. The company is asking visitors to "Take Aim at the RIAA." The link takes surfers to a page where they can donate funds directly to Aimster through Amazon.com's "Honor System," which collects cash for sites lacking their own financial infrastructure. The page also includes several shopping sites with which Aimster has agreements to refer traffic in return for cash.

"Help support our fight to protect your privacy," the page reads. "The RIAA is trying to take away your privacy by telling us to filter...files." Aimster and the RIAA are skirmishing in court over where a trial should be held. Once that decision is made, a court process similar to the industry's suit against file-swapping service Napster is likely to ensue.