The APG developed software that traced the IP addresses of the 150 individuals, all based in Denmark, who used P2P systems KaZaA and eDonkey. The APG went to a court with its evidence of allegedly unlawful downloading – apparently just a list of filenames – and obtained an order that forced the individuals' ISPs to disclose the users' names and addresses.
The users only realised they were investigated when they started receiving the invoices by post last week. The APG apparently demands that the alleged pirates pay 20 Danish Crowns (about £1.70) per single music file downloaded. The charges are higher for movies and computer games. Some individuals face a bill of 100,000 Crowns (about £8,500).
The file-swappers are being warned that they must pay before 1st December or they will be sued by APG.
According to Reuters citing the Danish Consumer Council, APG's investigation did not violate local data protection laws.