"The IFPI claims the actions have dramatically reduced file sharing"
Well what they claim and what they've achieved seem to vary greatly. Since MetaMachine stopped releasing eDonkey (which contary to your article cannot be used anymore due to an annoying screen filling pop-up saying your breaking the law, even when you're not doing anything and therefore aren't) the only option for the eD2k network users is the open source eMule project which utilise Kademila aswell as the servers.
This protocol has been implemented for a couple of years now and returns more results than servers for searches and can handles other server related tasks with equal improvement.
eMule no longer really needs servers anymore - which shows a clear lack of understanding on the IFPI's stance of the network they're attacking.
Additional this is all based on the premise that users utlise servers for searches in any case - the vast majority using much more reliable hash-indexing sites.
All they've done is taken peoples computers under false pretenses - they've broken no laws, the protocols running on those servers is legal and has legit uses.
It's akin to arresting people and taking away there permanant markers because they COULD be used to circumvent some copyright protected discs (you just have to know where to make the mark) and will have as much impact on preventing copyright theives from going about there nefarious ways.
Now I'm not saying I'm pro downloading something you've not paid for, far from it, what I'm saying is if this cack-handed manner of going about preventing copyright theives is the best they can manage then they might as well just go back to sueing their own customers.
I've been a long time user of eD2k and was even a moderator on MetaMachines eDonkey forum - the applciation and protocol can be used for a lot of good aswell as the obvious bad and should not be tarred with the same brush and made synonymous with illegal downloads - how many linux distros are available on eD2k by there creators? How many garage bands share there work on the network to get wider appeal and start a fan base? Indie movie creators who can't afford the expensive bandwidth of hosting the videos themselves.
The network is a great tool used correctly, the impact of the IFPI has made today (if any - as above) will affect legitimate users alongside any neferious peeps and should be in itself considered illegal.