The fight for free music goes on, but legal experts say there isn’t much that can be done to keep Napster from being nipped in the bud. A federal appeals court stayed a previous judge’s decision to pull the plug on the Internet music-swapping company last week while it renders a decision. That decision could come as soon as October.
Until then, Napster has very few choices to save itself.
Legal experts say making a deal with the recording industry is next to impossible considering Napster’s inability to pay for a major settlement. Plus, sources from the Recording Industry Association of America say they wouldn’t be willing to settle with Napster. Doing so would leave the questions as to whether what Napster is doing is actually legal.
Legal experts told Reuters that they see little choice for Napster but to forge full-steam ahead with litigation.
For now, Napster is being mum about what strategies it will use during the next few weeks to protect its future.
“There are no deals. There are no new developments. There are ongoing conversations,” a company representative said.
