Programmer Zi Mei attacked RIAA claims in recent consumer lawsuits.

RIAA has claimed that music file metadata (information about the file that can include song genre, year, artist, etc.) is proof of copyright infingement.

But Mei states there is no correlation with hash codes or metadata. The article focused on metadata. MP3 metadata may or may not be on the file, can be edited by any user, and can be forged.

He says "Since they're aren't part of the audio data, a computer or mp3 player can play files regardless of the existence or content of metatags, he says, also pointing out that literally anyone can create, edit or remove ID3/ID4 tags with software bundled with mp3 players, or any other easy to find applications."

"Simply put, there is no correlation between metadata in a file and the origin of the file. ... In no way can it be used as a tracking mechanism like a FEDEX or UPS tracking number.

"It certainly cannot be used to determine whether the files allegedly found on the defendants' computers got there legally or illegally, since those files could have been downloaded from an authorized online service, or copied legally from commercially purchased audio CDs."