FREE ESSAY ON GO NAPSTER

GO NAPSTER

Shawn Fanning, a freshman in college, launched Napster in the beginning of 1999.Napster
allows Internet users to share and download MP3 (music) files directly from any computer
connected to the Napster network, which could be hundreds of thousands of people.You can
use Napster by downloading the software from the Internet site, and then connecting to
the network using this software, which allows the sharing of all your MP3 files with
anyone else on the network.Unlike many other file sharing networks, Napster limits their
users to only download MP3 files.The advantage of these files are that they can be very
close to CD quality and are one-tenth the size of a wave file.This is the main reason
that many artists and record labels are concerned with the MP3 file format and programs
like Napster that makes it very easy to share copyrighted material.The fact that Napster
is free and more convenient than going to the store makes it an appealing way to get
music for consumers.The problem that record companies have is that there is no way of
regulating who has access to this information, which means they have no way of making any
profit.Since people can now download free music, and artists can release their music
themselves, it gives record companies another reason to get worried because internet
companies similar to Napster could lead to the end of groups like The Recording Industry
Association of America. 
Napster has become most popular among college students.On most college campuses students
have all their computers networked together.This allows them to download music with
relative ease.Because the students are all on the same network songs can download much
faster then if they were on a regular dial up modem.This has made music industry
representatives very angry.The majority of their business is generated in the 16-25 age
group.If most of this age group is in college it will severely decrease their record
sales. 
The music industry's response to Napster is similar to the response to the introduction
of cassette tapes and VCR's.Both of these allowed people to record and copy, copyrighted
information and at the time these were threats to the industries.My opinion is that, time
has proven that copied tapes are no substitute for professional recordings.The same goes
for Napster, because people can download as many songs as they want, but the songs will
never compare to the quality that someone gets if they buy the professionally made
album.Furthermore, it's impossible to find an entire album of music on Napster.You would
have to find each song individually, and when you had those songs you would have to burn
them on a CD if you wanted to here them some place besides your computer.To burn a CD you
need a CD burner which could be very expensive, so most people wouldn't even bother going
through all of that, because it would be so much easier to just go to the store and buy
the CD, which is going to be a better quality CD. 
Several lawsuits have already been brought against Napster.The heavy metal band Metallica
brought on the first of these.In April of two thousand they sued Napster for copyright
infringement.The case was settled out of court when Napster, banned three hundred
thousand users who had allegedly downloaded Metallica songs.Napster was again sued in
June by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).They alleged that Napster
was allowing the illegal downloading and distribution of copyrighted material.After a few
appeals the case is still in court and a decision is expected very soon.The outcome of
this case could very damaging to either side of the argument. 
Probably the smartest and most realistic thing that has been suggested is that Napster
pays royalties to the artists when their songs are downloaded, similar to the way that
the radio pays artists when their songs are played.Another solution is that Napster could
work with the music industry to distribute certain sample tracks to the public.These
tracks could be distributed royalty-free as promotion for the album, or Napster could
even pay the royalties.The move of Napster paying royalties to the artists whose songs
are downloaded, I believe would be a positive move because then the artists would get
their fair share for their work. The only problem with that move would be the amount of
money that Napster would have to pay out.Napster would either have to turn into a paid
subscription service or show advertisements.Personally I think that it would be a very
good idea to show advertisements on their homepage.With all the people out there trying
to download Napster, I think it would be a very profitable idea.The option of a
cooperative effort with the music industry has the advantage of being totally legal and
stopping all conflicts between Napster and The Recording Industry Association of
America.The only problem with this move is that it would mean that the number of songs
available on Napster would be greatly reduced and it would 
also eliminate the sharing part of the whole thing. 
I believe that Napster is a very useful tool.It may be a vision of what is to
come.Despite its usefulness and extreme popularity, in its current state it may be hard
to stay legal.Napster has to find some way to compensate the artists whose music is
downloaded using their software.Although it may cost Napster a significant amount of
money to implement such a system, it may be the only way that the company can stay in
business.Such a system would keep them safe from future lawsuits.This might encourage
more artists to embrace the on-line community.Napster could relieve some of the profit
loss of paying these artists by showing all types of advertising on its website and
software.It could also find a way to work with the artists themselves in a way that would
mutually benefit both parties.This may be the only way for Napster to continue. 
Bibliography 
1.http://www.rescomp.berkeley.edu/resources/news/20001019/ 
2.http://www.canada.cnet.com/news/0-1005-202-2806552.html 
3.http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/fvp/ia/news/napster.html