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JULY 28, 2000

The record industry has won a significant victory now that US District Court Judge Marilyn Patel on Wednesday temporarily ordered the popular music-trading service commonly known as Napster to be shutdown at midnight Pacific Standard Time tonight.

For those not familiar with the service, Napster allows users to trade and share files, typically music, using a a software program which turns the Internet into a virtual candy store of free music. Users can pick and choose from a wide array of sounds ranging from the mainstream like Britney Spears to the obscure.

Since its release over a year ago, the program has become increasingly popular with Internet users, many of whom have no problems sharing their music collection. But some record company executives and musicians feel Napster is hurting the music industry and that users are trading in stolen music.

At least one Native record executive shares a somewhat similar viewpoint. Tom Bee, owner of Sound of America Records (SOAR) and himself a musician, earlier this month told listeners of Native America Calling that he did not advocate trading music online.

But he said he had to research the issue more. He wonders if it would help the genre gain more exposure or if it would hurt Native music.

Some Native music, but not a lot, can be found using Napster. Indigenous, R. Carlos Nakai, and Walela were some of the artists located on a recent search using the program.

A search for music by Tom Bee's former band, legendary rock group XIT, however, turned up empty.

So the question remains whether or not the Native music genre could gain a significant boost by Napster or other online trading services. According to one report by Jupiter Communications, users are 45 percent more likely to go out and buy music after they've traded it online.

Meanwhile, users are angry and upset about the shutdown of Napster. Many have sounded off online and in television programs decrying the judge's ruling.

On a related note, AllNative, the parent company of Indianz.Com and AllNative.Com, banned the use of Napster by employees earlier this year. According to company officials, the program was consuming too much bandwidth, a common criticism of the service, and raised privacy issues.

The Napster company appealed the temporary injunction to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday. Record company executives are expected to file a response to the company today.

What do you think? Do you believe trading music online can benefit Native music? Or does it steal away money which they deserve? Take our poll today!

Indianz.Com user wagonburner says NAPSTER is his best friend. What do you think? Join our Talking Circle today.

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Report questions GRAMMY award (Arts and Entertainment 07/05)
GRAMMYs to honor Native music (Arts and Entertainment 06/07)

Relevant Links:
Napster, Inc. - www.napster.com
Sound of America Records - www.soundofamerica.com
Native America Calling - www.nativecalling.org
Indigenous - www.indigenousrocks.com
Walela - www.walela.com