[ Thanks to Jeff
Gerhardt for this link. ]
“OK so what is the problem that the record companies have with
Napster? It is simple, control of content flow and by that, the
flow of the money. The old bit of advice on how to find the root of
a problem as “Follow The Money” is 100% appropriate here. And, in
that light their (the record companies) reaction to Napster is also
very predictable. Let’s have a short history lesson…”
“So, REALLY who does Napster hurt? Napster hurts a group of
people who have primarily been leaching off of the entertainment
industry for the last 100 years, suits and lawyers. How will it
impact the existing business model? Well it basically turns it on
its ear. Like every evolutionary step, it will end one business
model by creating a new model. These models are starting to evolve
as we speak. You will probably be going to a web site soon,
and each time you download a tune by Jon Bon Jovi you will see a
commercial about the car he drives, or similar advertising based
models. The funny thing is that this shift has already
begun…”
“Finally and probably the most important fact. Its too late
folks. The war is already over. The “people” have already won. The
technology is out there. It is in the hands of hackers and comon
folks alike. Even if Napster was to be sued out of existence, the
software would still be out there. It is not going to go away. The
technology will continue to evolve. It will get better.”