Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2000/04/21/metallica_lets_second_uni_off/

Metallica lets second uni off the hook after Napster ban

Indiana University dropped from piracy, racketeering and corruption suit

By Tony Smith

Posted in On-Prem, 21st April 2000 09:45 GMT

Indiana University yesterday followed the example of Yale to re-impose a ban on controversial 'seek, locate, download' MP3 music software Napster. Like Yale, Indiana's move was made in response to the legal action launched last week by metal band Metallica. On Wednesday, Metallica said it would remove Yale from its lawsuit, which primarily targets Napster itself but also named five US universities the band alleged were aiding and abetting Napster's encouragement of music piracy. Metallica said yesterday it would now drop Indiana from the suit, too. Like Yale, Indiana University denies any liability toward Metallica. "We now believe, however, that our faculty, staff and students could incur legal exposure if they use this technology. Until those unresolved legal issues are clarified, it seems prudent to block the site," said a university spokesman. In addition to Metallica's suit, Napster, the company behind the software of the same name, is defending itself against similar action taken by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). And rap performer Dr. Dre asked the company this week to remove any and all of his songs from the software's growing database of MP3 tracks. ® Related Stories Metallica drops Yale from anti-Napster suit Pro-Napster hackers hit Metallica Metallica sues Napster