apster is legal. Napster can also argue that copying cassette tapes is legal and is fundamentally the same process as sharing music over the Internet. For over two decades, people have legally dubbed cassette tapes. The tape-dubbing craze has developed to the point that virtually everyone has a dual cassette deck capable of high-speed dubbing. This was formerly the best way to obtain free music. However, recent technology has led to new options, including the CD burner, the portable MP3 recorder, and the revolutionary minidisk. The difference between tape decks and Napster lies in Napster’s advanced technology and organization. Think of Napster as an indexed version of 30,000 of your closet friends’ music collections.Napster provides young and upcoming artists with opportunities to distribute their music virtually free to a worldwide audience. Napster is providing listeners with a preview, a free commercial if you will, for these new artists. This is one of Napster’s major services. Napster dedicates a segment of the site to rising stars of the music industry. I have been introduced to several new groups and have purchased several of their CDs. Napster encourages listeners to purchase CDs and promotes the record industry. Napster backers believe that the music industry makes enough money off concerts, related merchandise, and music sales. Many fans feel as I do, that the industry is greedy and wishes to make unreasonable profits. As a result, many fans are registering their disenchantment with artists. Metallica, one of America’s most popular rock bands, has filed suit against Napster. Fans have reacted negatively to the band. Lars Ulrich, the band’s founder, was booed at the recent MTV Video Awards. However, Napster founder Shawn Fanning received a standing ovation the same night. Fans are tired of greed, have demonstrated their discontent, and only wish to hear good music.All things co...
