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Article

Title: Ode to Napster, Music's Last Hope

Author: Dvorak, John C Article Type: Product Analysis
Source: PC Magazine, v23 n5 p51(1) Publication Date: Mar 16, 2004
  ISSN: 0888-8509
URL of Publication: http://www.pcmag.com

When the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) went after Napster for aiding music pirates, it thought it was protecting its business. However, bringing down Napster, which could have become a partner and new marketing channel for the industry, damned the music business. The RIAA has announced another 532 lawsuits that it has filed over peer-to-peer file sharing. The RIAA was able to gather the IP addresses of the alleged pirates and subpoena Internet service providers to hand over their names and addresses. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act was designed for copy protection. If the RIAA had looked at Napster as a new distribution network and a place for listeners to sample music, the music industry may not be in such dire straits. Napster's contribution was its ability to centralize music collections so traders could check out other people's music libraries. Many users ended up discovering new music and buying the CDs. While sales figures supported this trend, the RIAA did not believe it. Napster actually encouraged growth in the industry. However, its shutdown closed off a resource for helping listeners decide what music to buy. This feeds piracy, which has been spiraling out of control.

Companies:
Napster Inc

Products:
Napster

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