The architecture of the Napster service is such that users download music files from each other's computers without ever storing the files on the Napster server. Would you say that Napster allows users to exchange copies for their own private use? Or would you say that Napster is really acting as a publisher, not only distributing the work but giving it away for free while making money in other ways such as advertising? Or is Napster much the same as a commercial FM radio station?

Meanwhile, if you can manage to read through the redesign, Lincoln Stein has written an article on all things Napster in the May 2000 dead-tree edition of Web Techniques. see also : (you lose) natureboy (quicktime)