The RIAA has sent out a letter to internet service providers indicating that there have been mistakes, in the past, in identifying subscribers. Sometimes, the RIAA noted, the ISPs have identified people who weren't even customers at the time of the alleged infringement.

The RIAA has asked the ISPs to hold on to their logs for 180 days, and has indicated that for those ISPs who will agree to do that, it will extend a "Pre-Doe settlement option" offering a $1000 or greater discount of the settlement amount, if the subscriber settles before commencement of a "John Doe" suit.