The BPI said it will seek damages and injunctions to stop filesharers illegally uploading recordings to networks such as KaZaA, Imesh and Grokster.
Although many artists have come out in support of free music sharing, former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey said that it deprived many lowly-paid songwriters and performers of much-needed income.
"Some may say it does not affect new and eclectic music. The fact is that it is precisely this kind of music that gets displaced. For small businesses it's particularly tough. Most of us came into this business not to get rich but because we love music. No one who loves music would steal it," Sharkey said.
It is part of wider moves against illegal filesharers across six countries in Europe, which will see a total of 459 new legal actions.
While the recording industry seeks to stamp out free filesharing, the legal download industry has taken off in a major way this year, with online players such as iTunes and MSN now competing against high-street names such as Woolworths and HMV to sell tracks online.
Last month, the first Official UK Download Chart launched, which was topped by Westlife with a live recording of their 1999 Christmas number one 'Flying Without Wings', re-released especially for the occasion.
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