RIAA paid its lawyers more than $16,000,000 in 2008 to recover only $391,000
This isn't really the whole story. They are assuming that their member companies will make more money as a result of less piracy. And that additional money should/would be added to the total.(Note: I did not say if it will actually reduce piracy, just that that is their assumption, and is why they are willing to pay this.)