Napster Vs. Music

Napster is an online trading program that allows users to look into another persons hard-drive in order to trade music. "Napster and similar software provides users with a method of searching thousands of other users computers to share thousands of high quality music, music that is stored in the compressed .mp3 format."(Internet). Music of the popular artist is traded through the Internet at no cost. In other words instead of having to pay market price for music users of Napster receive the music for free. Napster has caused major controversy throughout the music industry. " The recording Industry association of America is suing Napster, claiming it allows users to make illegal copies of the copyrighted songs. It is seeking an injunction against the service and damages for lost revenue from thousands of songs it says were pirated through tapsters program (Internet). So one must look at the question, are programs like Napster illegal or does the program actually have some validity.

There are several people against the use of programs like Napster. The band Metallica filed the first federal suit against Napster. The band is suing the company for copyright infringement and racketeering. Lars Ulrich, the band drummer says; "Napster hijacked our music without asking. They never sought out permission. Out catalog of music simply became available as free downloads on the Napster system"(Internet). Metallica is suing Napster and has accused Napster of copyright infringement and racketeering. The Metallica bands as well as other groups believe that Napster has cost them much money. They do not believe it is fair that people can go in and download their music for free instead of having to pay for it. The drummer suggested that the music traders were cowards using high technology for low-down theft (Metallica).