Three dozen University of Nebraska-Lincoln students are about to receive some very unhappy news in the mail.

The Recording Industry Association of America on Wednesday announced its latest crackdown on illegal file-sharing, an initiative that shows the bigwigs are getting serious now.

The RIAA said it’s mailed out 400 letters to students at 13 universities notifying them they’ll have 20 days to “pre-settle” or risk a costly public lawsuit.

Of the unlucky, 36 are UNL students.

They’ll be smart to opt for the pre-settlement option rolled out Wednesday, which the RIAA says will save each student perhaps thousands of dollars in legal fees and an embarrassing blemish on their public record.

Offending students who fail to contact the RIAA are sure to be slapped with lawsuits, which can result in settlements of $4,000 or more.

The new initiative is part of an RIAA effort to curb illegal downloading on college campuses, where nationwide, students amass music and movie files by the thousand.

So far, students haven’t seemed to respond to RIAA threats of legal action. Officials hope things are about to change.

“The problem has remained acute,” said Steven Marks, executive vice president and general counsel for the RIAA.

“We look forward to the day when these lawsuits are not necessary.”

Marks would not say how much money pre-settlement would save students, only that it will be “a substantial amount.”

He also said the RIAA has plans to soon expand its crackdown beyond college campuses.

UNL spokeswoman Kelly Bartling said the university is working to identify the 36 students who will receive notices. She said UNL is prepared to cooperate with RIAA in its effort to stop file-sharing.

“It’s just the right thing to do.”

Last week, the RIAA announced it is boosting the number of complaints it sends to universities warning them of illegal downloading. With 1,002 complaints this academic year, UNL had the third-most in the nation.

Its 36 pending notices are also the nation’s third most. Ohio University tops the ranks with 50 notices.

Reach Melissa Lee at 473-2682 or mlee@journalstar.com.