Metallica to shame – but not name – Napster ‘pirates’

Hard rock band Metallica will tomorrow demand Napster block 335,435 alleged music pirates from using the developer's MP3 'seek, locate, download' software. Since the band's lawyer, Howard King, sued Napster for copyright infringement just over two weeks ago, its agents have been tracking down users who, they claim, have illegally offered copies of Metallica songs to others. King is also representing rapper Dr Dre in his case against Napster. Unlike the original Metallica suit, Dre is targeting not only Napster but certain users of its software - or at least built in the opportunity to added named individuals to the suit later on. Metallica could now expand its own case to do the same, though King told US media that that will not be case. Dre hasn't yet sought out specific pirates, but will do so if Napster refuses to take action against the 335,435 alleged infringers named by Metallica, King says. And the fact that Metallica's techies have been able to build up the list at all is likely to play on many Net users' fears for their privacy while they surf the Web. Certainly, many Napster users will have assumed that their anonymity has been protected while using the software - legitimately or otherwise - and won't be too pleased to learn that it hasn't. The names were collected after Napster use was monitored over the weekend. ® Related Stories Chuck D benefits Napster with on-line rap contest Napster rapped by rapper More artists to sue Napster says Metallica lawyer Metallica sues Napster