Millions of Americans are literally facing the music. The record industry is going after ordinary citizen users who illegally swap copyrighted songs online. The industry has filed 261 lawsuits across the county, and the group says it may file thousands more.

The music industry is offering an olive branch to illegal music swappers, even as it goes after hundreds of Internet users who trade songs online. The Recording Industry Association of America filed 261 lawsuits Monday against what it calls "major offenders," those who distributed more than 1,000 copyrighted music files on average.

At the same time, the trade group says it will give amnesty to people who admit the illegally share music. They will not be sued if they promise not to do it again and delete the songs off their computers. The offer does not apply to people who already have been targets of copyright subpoenas.

The group also says it has negotiated $3,000 settlements with a handful of Internet users who learned they might be sued after Internet providers got subpoenas. Recording Industry Association of America President Cary Sherman predicts more settlements, along with more lawsuits. He compares illegal music downloads to shoplifting.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.