The coalition of publishers - including EMI, Sony/ATV, Warner/Chappell, Universal, Bug and Peermusic - are seeking up to $15,000 (?10,230) for each song infringed on the service.

The New York Times interviewed National Music Publishers' Association CE David Israelite about the timing of this action, coming as it does mere weeks after a federal court found LimeWire liable for copyright infringement.

"We want to be at the table for any discussions about settlements," he said. "We're looking for more than ...