This was the RIAA's real intent.... (Score 2, Insightful)

I believe that the upper most reason for the flurry of subpoenas was to find out what large ISPs would fight back. The RIAA already knew that they could sue once a user was identified. They also knew that the subpoenas would stall traffic to some degree. But the greatest challenge is the one for good press. ISPs fighting back keeps the issue from being one-sided and allows time for more people to ask more questions, eventually getting to the right one..ie... a business model that has failed the customer.