The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is working to extend its reach in cases against consumers the group accuses of stealing music. In UMG v Lindor, the group is now trying to subpoena the computer of a family member that isn't living in the same house, according to the Recording Industry vs The People blog.

In this case, UMG Recordings alleges that Marie Lindor used an online distribution system to download and distribute music files. Ironically, she has never owned or used a computer. Now the RIAA has issued a subpoena for her adult son's computer - he lives several miles away from her.

The subpoena orders Ms. Linor's son, Woody Raymond, to produce "any and all computers and/or music listening devices including iPods and MP3 players in your possession, custody or control." By coincidence, Mr. Raymond is a paralegal, which means computers in his control contain confidential client and case information.

Mr. Raymond's attorney, Richard Altman, said in a letter to the court that his only involvement in the case is that he is the defendant's son, and that the RIAA is conducting a "fishing expedition."

Consumer rights groups and organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation have been accusing the RIAA of trying to intimidate consumers into draconian licensing terms by strong-arming people that aren't able to defend themselves against the organization. The group has also been trying from some time to prevent consumers from having control over the music they purchase or listen to, and has even gone so far as to suggest that copying a music CD you own to an iPod is not "fair use."

The UMB v Lindor case is likely to go on for some time, so for now we'll have to wait and see how far the courts let the RIAA go in pursuit of alleged music thiefs.