New studies support Napster

Two new studies support the claim that Napster is good for the music industry. According to the researchers, Napster users' interest in music, and therefore the probability that they will buy music legally, increases with their exposure to music through the file-sharing system. If these studies' conclusions hold up, they may help convince the music industry that file-sharing should be viewed in the same way as radio, a way to market music. The economics of downloading music without the owners' permission does not settle copyright issues, of course, but it does pertain to the record labels' claim that Napster is costing them money.

For several perspectives on this issue, check out thestandard.com and zdtv.com.