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With the number of artist and music companies, why are CD prices climbing into the twenty-dollar ranges? Twenty dollars for a forty-five minute LP-Don't think so. Mr. Fanning, if you are out there reading this, you are a true revolutionary. Please take solace in starting a social and economic revolution, where the people, the consumer are regaining control of their pocketbooks. If you have go the pay-per-download thing, at a reasonable price many would probably still tune into Napster.
Finally, all of you pro-Napster consumers, you must note that Napster is company, just like those that are fighting to have it cease and desist. And personally I am afraid that they might sell all of us users out. What? How? When? Why? Well, if you are like me you just skim on over those nasty provider agreements (the ones you have to agree too before using any type of software). And according to Napster, users are not supposed to download any copyrighted materials. According to Napster's Terms of Use:
Napster respects copyright law and expects our users to do the same. Unauthorized copying, distribution, modification, public display, or public performance of copyrighted works is an infringement of the copyright holders' rights. You should be aware that some MP3 files may have been created or distributed without copyright owner authorization. As a condition to your account with Napster, you agree that you will not use the Napster service to infringe the intellectual property rights of others in any way. Napster will terminate the accounts of users who are repeat infringers of the copyrights, or other intellectual property rights, of others. In addition, Napster reserves the right to terminate the account of a user and to block use of the Napster service permanently upon any single infringement of the rights of others in conjunction with use of the Napster service, or if Napster believes that user conduct is harmful to the interests of Napster, its affiliates, or other users, or for any other reason in Napster's sole discretion, with or without cause.
In accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (the text of which may be found on the U.S. Copyright Office web site at http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright), Napster will respond expeditiously to claims of copyright infringement committed using the Napster service that are reported to Napster's "Designated Copyright Agent"...
Now I am certainly no lawyer, so I may be wrong, but I wonder if Napster continues its stance that it is an ISP, that means they technically are just a provider like AOL, which means they are not breaking the law. Does this mean that we the people, the members of Napster, are the criminals and face the possibility of being sued by individual record companies? Just a thought-or is it a possible reality?
Not too mention Napster is not exactly safe. According to an article published by CNET.com: Security problem discovered in Napster music software in January 2000, There are ways for someone with a fair hacking background to hack your hard drive through Napster's software, while you are downloading. So before you go and ready yourself to the stake for Napster's service, or similar services please consider all that you have read.
Comments are greatly being sought on the MP3 issue. If your feeling the need to vent drop me a line! For more information on this issue and how it may put a damper on your life check out the following online literature on the subject:
YBFREE.com will keep you up to date as this issue progresses. Send all comments and questions about this article to JenniferJ@ybfree.com