The Attorney General of Oregon State has blocked attempts by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to spy on university students.

The RIAA had issued subpoenas against 17 students at the University of Oregon, claiming that they had downloaded music from the internet and violated copyright.

Documents filed in the US District Court in Eugene by the Attorney General described the subpoenas as "overbroad and burdensome".

"We do not think the university can be compelled to produce investigative work for the recording industry," Deputy State Attorney General Pete Shepherd told Associated Press.

Court documents issued by the Attorney General's office said: "The university's efforts thus far have been met by accusations that it is obstructing the process and even conspiring with law breakers. Those accusations are not warranted.

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