Scientists fear loss of Napster tech

Researchers engaged in a variety of disciplines have voiced concern that the ruling against Napster, meant only to stop the illegal trading of copyrighted music, could inadvertently result in the elimination of a significant scientific tool. The connection of individual computers through a central server for the purposes of sharing data is attractive to many people who want to share research.

Because peer-to-peer programs do not judge content or qualify the files traded on them, the only way to stop the illegal use of a system is to shut down the entire system. The problem with this, according to one information specialist is that, "If we take the (Napster ruling) judge's ruling to a logical conclusion, we would have to ban the World Wide Web as well."

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