Napster

This system of computers is called peer-to-peer networking. It is a simple idea that combines features of existing programs such as Internet relay chat, Windows file sharing, and music search engines. Napster is the fastest growing website in history. The Napster program is still in beta test (It’s not finished in development) and has over 25 million users today. In February 2000, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sued Napster and asked for them to shut down its file-sharing service, claiming that it facilitates theft and violates copyright laws. Therefor, the RIAA contends that Napster is responsible for contributory infringement of their copyrights. Contributory infringement is defined as where “a person, with knowledge of the infringing activity, induces, causes, or

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Many recording artists have also followed suit, including the heavy metal band, Metallica, who forced Napster to terminate the user accounts of individuals who downloaded their songs. According to statistics filed with the Court by the RIAA, essentially every single Napster user sampled was engaged in some copyright infringement while using the Napster service and the overwhelming majority of songs actually!

copied and downloaded on Napster, over 87% are infringing. Some experts believe that the the best thing that could happen has just came out today and is here to stay. Napster’’s case is that there are enough exemptions in the copyright laws to permit its file-sharing program to exist. The user can ““try before they buy”” without the risk or cost of purchasing an entire CD or tape. First Napster cites the 1992 Audio Home Recording Act, which allows anyone to copy music for "noncommercial use. Another option is providing a subscription-based service that allows users to download music from the Internet, additional revenue could be made from advertising in the Napster program. Advancing technology, There the digital technology including the Internet, has spawned new challenges and debates related to copyright law, for both copyright owners and information users. It has significantly increased access to, and distribution of, information. This law shows a search engine from copyright claims if the company that owns it is unaware that the information the engine retrieves violates copyrights. " These cases, and thousands just like them, have painted the recording industry as a monolith that thrives on keeping its artists down. In that case the court narrowly decided that as long as a technology like a VCR had "substantial" legitimate uses, it couldn't be banned. The question rises when a computer user converts the music into MP3 format and then makes the file available to other computer users without the copyright holder’’s permission. But although artists have spent decades suing (and complaining about) their labels, until the advent of online music distribution, few of them ever denied the apparent fundamental need for a record industry. However, users fear the elimination of fair use.

Common topics in this essay:
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Approximate Word count = 1261
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

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