The Napster Controversy

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The Napster Controversy

From the writings of Burke I get the understanding

that he believes that representation is done through

the idea of symbols; symbol making, symbol using and

symbol misusing. He believes that we use language,

that we use it best in a nonverbal way in which we all

can understand. And that language verbal or not is the

essential key to all representations through any lens

or idea. He also believed that we invented the idea of

anything to be negative and that we are what makes

things negative. Simply put; All things are good until

man makes it otherwise. And by using Burke's "lens" we

can look at the internet use of Napster and see how

different people have found different views of it and

how now some people deem Napster as bad or in a

negative lens they see Napster.

The Napster software, launched early in 1999, allows

internet users to share and download MP3 files

directly from any computer connected to the Napster

network. The software is used by downloading a client

program from the Napster site and then connecting to

the network through this software, which allows

sharing of MP3 files between all users connected to

the network. Napster does not condone copyright

infringement, there is no opportunity in the software

to stop this, or for royalties to be paid to the song

belongs to.

The reaction from recording artists, record labels

and other music industry players has been varied, but

primarily anti-Napster. The first action to be taken

against Napster was by the band Metallica. In April of

this year, they sued Napster Inc for copyright

infringement. The case was settled out of court when

Napster agreed to ban some 300,000 users who had

allegedly downloaded Meta...

... middle of paper ...

...co.uk/content/archive/12647.html

- 4/9/00

Napster Boosts CD sales - survey -

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/1/12093.html -

4/9/00

Napster Details Copyright Case Defence -

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/11750.html

- 2/9/00

US Appeal Court sets Date for Napster Trial -

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/1/12909.html -

2/9/00

Napster Loses Preliminary Hearing -

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/archive/10729.html

- 2/9/00

Napster throws Metallica a Curvevall -

http://www.salon.com/tech/log/2000/05/10/napster_metallica/index.html

-

31/8/00

Napster to Face Music in Courtroom -

http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/review/crh121.htm

- 2/9/00

Napster is Ordered to Halt Swap of Music -

http://www.latimes.com/business/reports/musicweb/lat_napster000727.htm

- 2/9/00

AOL Unit Runs Napster-like Search Engine -

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