Following up on the story previously reported by Seán, where the the P2P site Torrentspy has been told by a federal judge to keep logs of user data, it now appears that the MPAA are becoming increasingly desperate in their attempts to shut the file-sharing organisation down.

After TorrentSpy's response was to pass users through their site and onto another vendor (where the logs could be kept by a third party and were presumably not covered by the ruling), the MPAA have changed tack in their pursuit of some data they can examine. Details are scarce, since it appears that an appeal by TorrentSpy is being prepared, but it is clear that the MPAA are insisting that although no formal archive logs are kept by TorrentSpy themselves, the data contained in the server RAM is a valid source of data to support their challenge.

Unfortunately for common sense, the judge has seen fit to rule that in this case, the approximate six hour's worth of user information would be helpful and should be turned over to the MPAA. Presumably, unless the TorrentSpy appeal is successful, then the MPAA will try to seize the servers in a blaze of publicity. Whether they get there before someone flicks the appropriate switch, however, should make hilarious entertainment.

For more details of the cat-and-mouse nature of this case, see this article on c|net.