deal. Napster also states its plans to keep the site very community based by telling the users that they want their input in to how the company should move forward.When Napster posted 'Napster/Bertelsmann Q&A' on its site after the deal was announced one of the questions was 'Will Napster still continue to be a free service?' The answer was contradictory. Napster argued that it still would be a free service but users should expect to pay a small membership fee. Since then this has changed, users should actually expect to pay a monthly subscription fee one sum that has been suggested is $4.95, for unlimited use. This does create the solution to the lawsuit.'Napster can thrive and the record industry can turn 'pirates' back into paying customers.'Great move, Napster Larry MagidThis will change the face of Napster whether they want to admit it or not. When Shawn Fanning the 19 year old created this site it was for music lovers to download music with ease it was also meant to be a way for new up and coming bands to be noticed, and for fans to discover artists that they may not have access to in their native countries. Music lovers could come together and chat about their love for music. Now whether this lawsuit is seen through to the end or not, Napster will never be the same. Bertelsmann has regained control of the situation for the music industry. This does not hold out much hope for the music industry to change. Observers of this case have said that Napster is a protest against the price of records and that by users subscribing to Napster would be showing the record companies that they will not stand for that any more. If this was their protest then this has not worked for two reasons, one that record sales have increased since Napster went on line. Two the record companies now have control of Napster so again record purchasers do not have a choice but to pay the industries asking price. This lawsuit and the partnership that has come ...
