Who Invented Napster?

From an online service for sharing music, through legal battles, to an online music-management and on-demand service, Napster has changed greatly since its 1999 origin. Its rise as the first peer-to-peer network is the stuff of pop-culture legend, inviting many to ask, "Who is the Napster?"

Early History

Shawn Fanning invented the service while a college student at Northeastern University. The service was named for Fanning's nickname, based on his hairstyle.

Legal Woes

In 2000, Napster was sued by a number of artists and major record labels for copyright violations. Napster lost the suits on all counts and was forced to shut down in 2001.

Bankruptcy

At its height, Napster had more than 20 million users. In 2002, because of the legal difficulties that shut it down, Napster declared bankruptcy and sold its assets.

Pop Culture

The 2003 remake of the movie "The Italian Job" shows a college roommate of the character Lyle stealing the idea while Lyle sleeps. The roommate is portrayed by Shawn Fanning.

Current Status

After switching owners many times, Napster is owned and operated by Best Buy. The site provides file management and MP3 downloads for a monthly fee.

Resources

• Napster