Ruling Gives Record Companies Control of Napster

March 6, 2001--

(San Francisco-AP) --The recording industry -- for all intents and purposes -- now has control of Napster.

More Info Details From AP How Napster Works History of Napster Case Past Stories Napster Fights For Its Life Mar. 3, 2001 Court Rules Against Napster Feb. 12, 2001 Napster Founder Visits BYU Oct. 2000 Hatch Referees Napster Debate July 2000 Links Napster Recording Industry Assoc. of America N. Cal. U.S. District Court Click on Napster rulings Napigator

A federal judge says the file-swapping service has just three days to remove any copyright-protected songs identified by the record labels.

An industry analyst says the ruling doesn't sink Napster, but gives the recording industry a great deal of power over it.

The companies can decide how usable Napster will be for customers, says Eric Sheirer. He's an analyst with Forrester Research.