Napster Case
Chapter 1: Research Framework
1.1 Preface ………………………………………………………………....
Napster was one of the controversial online music file sharing company created by Shawn Fanning, a student of Northeastern University, Boston. The service and technology allowed users to share MP3 files with other logged in users of Napster via the internet. While it gained popularity for music sharing, it attracted the attention of the music industry accusing Napster for breaching plaintiff rights and copyright violations which saw them facing law suits from artists like Dr. Dre , music companies like EMI, BMG. In July 2001, after an intense battle with the recording companies Napster had to shut down its operation in order to comply with the injunction issued by the US Court of Appeals. It paid millions of dollars in law suits and liquidated its assets under Chapter 7 of the US bankruptcy laws. Later, it was taken over by the Private Media Group in the US who sold Napster’s brand name and logo to Roxio Inc in an auction. Roxio Inc. rebranded their Pressplay music as Napster 2.0. In 2008, the US electronics retailer Best Buy purchased Napster from Roxio Inc for $121 million.
1.2 Relevance of the study
1.3 Major Objectives Of The Research ………………………………………………………....
Our research objectives include the analysis of the controversy surrounding Napster 's business, the ethical background of the case, and the ways by which Napster was accused of being unethical on carrying out its business activities. Our project aims to discuss the ethics in dealing with intellectual property on the net, and how file sharing/music sharing in the Internet has brought forward a new ethical dilemma for this matter. The project report will also look into how Napster tried to defend itself against the accusations, and how this case have affected the legal and ethical environment of file/music sharing in the Post-Napster Era. We look forward to inform the reader about
1.1 Preface ………………………………………………………………....
Napster was one of the controversial online music file sharing company created by Shawn Fanning, a student of Northeastern University, Boston. The service and technology allowed users to share MP3 files with other logged in users of Napster via the internet. While it gained popularity for music sharing, it attracted the attention of the music industry accusing Napster for breaching plaintiff rights and copyright violations which saw them facing law suits from artists like Dr. Dre , music companies like EMI, BMG. In July 2001, after an intense battle with the recording companies Napster had to shut down its operation in order to comply with the injunction issued by the US Court of Appeals. It paid millions of dollars in law suits and liquidated its assets under Chapter 7 of the US bankruptcy laws. Later, it was taken over by the Private Media Group in the US who sold Napster’s brand name and logo to Roxio Inc in an auction. Roxio Inc. rebranded their Pressplay music as Napster 2.0. In 2008, the US electronics retailer Best Buy purchased Napster from Roxio Inc for $121 million.
1.2 Relevance of the study
1.3 Major Objectives Of The Research ………………………………………………………....
Our research objectives include the analysis of the controversy surrounding Napster 's business, the ethical background of the case, and the ways by which Napster was accused of being unethical on carrying out its business activities. Our project aims to discuss the ethics in dealing with intellectual property on the net, and how file sharing/music sharing in the Internet has brought forward a new ethical dilemma for this matter. The project report will also look into how Napster tried to defend itself against the accusations, and how this case have affected the legal and ethical environment of file/music sharing in the Post-Napster Era. We look forward to inform the reader about
Bibliography: Appendix