The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has filed lawsuits against 18 small retail businesses that allegedly sold pirated CDs on their
premises, Billboard Bulletin reports. The suits were filed in U.S. District Court in Texas, New York and Florida.

In December, the RIAA sent legal demands to retail outlets such as convenience stores that were allegedly selling pirated material, offering
them the chance to make a cash settlement or face litigation. The RIAA says the 18 businesses sued refused to respond to multiple letters from the trade
group.

Meanwhile, RIAA president/general counsel Cary Sherman is expected to be named president/CEO of the trade group when chairman/CEO Hilary Rosen exits at the end of the month. It is expected that the CEO title will revert to Rosen's permanent replacement once that person is named.

Rosen's departure was announced in January, when the trade group said her term would expire "by the end of the year." At the time, it did not seem
that she would be leaving this soon. A committee spearheaded by industry executives and talent search firm Korn/Ferry International continues to look for a successor. Sources tell Bulletin that Rosen will stay on as a consultant to the RIAA for one year.

Sources say that none of the candidates that have been suggested in published reports or industry circles are actively being considered for
Rosen's job. These include Reps. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-La.) and Jennifer Dunn (R-Wash.); former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani; TV anchor and former New York Congresswoman Susan Molinari; and Victoria Clarke, who resigned
yesterday (June 16) as U.S. assistant secretary of defense for public affairs and Pentagon spokesperson.

The RIAA has apparently not yet considered Rep. Mary Bono (R-Calif.). Last week, an aide said Bono would be interested in the job.