NAPSTER RIP OFF dotmusic.com Rock and pop stars feel ripped off by the MP3 trading software Napster, according to a story in www.salon.com. In the article, Black Crowes lead singer Chris Robinson complains that "Napster is robbing me blind"- and heís not the only dissenter. Recently Puff Daddy was quite forthright about his dislike for the Napster company, arguing that "every artist Napster abuses deserve respect". While recording artists have only recently begun to voice their concerns, other institutions have been battling Napster since last year. The Recording Industry Association of America, representing the major record labels, are suing for alleged "contributory and vicarious" copyright infringement. Perhaps more worryingly for the short term, their file- swapping software has been banned all across the States at the very universities in which its grassroots support was strongest. Napster bosses know that they themselves are in danger of being ripped off. Already there are half a dozen applications floating around the Internet that replicate the functions of Napster, some of which even make use of the companyís proprietary servers. Since the company's business model revolves around an ethos of democracy (not to mention stolen intellectual property), the company wonít have much of an argument should it attempt to patent its software or close down rival apps such as Gnutella or Rapster. The irony is clear: even though Napster is hugely popular and inspires an evangelical devotion in users, its future is looking bleaker by the day. Napster's product depends entirely upon the rock stars who it is currently alienating. Public Enemy rapper Chuck D, however, isnít ready to sign Napsterís death warrant. "I believe in the technology. It's Napster on one side and major labels on the other. Pick your side." comment on this article e-mail this to a friend start a discussion [about i-drive] writing index dotmusic index Problems? Questions? Suggestions? Contact me: mail@tobyslater.com back to top back to home page

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