The bane of the music industry, according to the music industry. The savior of independent musicians, according to musicians and music lovers. The end is at midnight tonight, according to Federal Judge Marilyn Hall Patel. Judge Patel has decreed that Napster's sole purpose is to promote illegal sharing of copyrighted materials, specifically MP3 recordings of music, and that its existence in its current state is causing damage to the financial and other interests of the music industry. Therefore, she has issued a court order that the entire Napster service must be shut down.
Some musicians indeed have brains and the foresight to take care of themselves.
Frank Zappa, before his untimely death, managed to get control of all copyrights to his own music so his family would be provided for. The Grateful Dead was a popular band, but limited to basically a cult following, until they allowed people to tape their concerts and trade the tapes. Then they became a major financial force to be reckoned with. Smart musicians love the Internet for precisely the same reasons. Yes, we want our MTV, and we want to be able to tape it and watch it later.