This is a little different, though, isn't it? The RIAA does things like sue an individual for $300,000, well beyond what most individuals even have, much less are able to pay. This company was paying their staff to be fraudulent, and are likely in a better position to take the $300,000 fine as a slap on the wrist than individuals are.
I might even applaud the RIAA for helping to stop copyright violations (which, right or wrong, are indeed illegal) if they fined individuals for the price of a few albums rather than for a decade's worth of their salary.
It would be impossible to fine each individual the price of a few albums. They have to grab headlines with a huge figure and hope that it scares enough people away. It's a battle for headlines, they're not actually expecting to see that money.
I might even applaud the RIAA for helping to stop copyright violations (which, right or wrong, are indeed illegal) if they fined individuals for the price of a few albums rather than for a decade's worth of their salary.