When it comes to Napster, the future isn't what it used to be. Recent court battles have left the file trading service gasping for its last breath. Meanwhile, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and its sympathisers are celebrating their win of the first round of the war against the uncontrolled, online sharing of music. Still, their celebrations may be a bit premature and their victory short-lived as clones continue where Napster left off.

Information-sharing technology like that provided by Gnutella [http://gnutella.wego.com/] allows users to anonymously distribute and retrieve any type of file such as text, music or images. Yet, unlike Napster, it can't be sued because no one company or person is responsible for it and information is not stored at a central location. The user who has the software connects directly to another user who also has the software who can then connect to another user and so on and so forth. Gnutella's software is "open-source" so any programmer can view and adapt the code and make his or her own version of file-sharing software which means that there could be as many Naspter clones as there are interested programmers. Already there's Mytella, Bodella, Gnotella, OpenNap, MyNapster, Tapster, Wrapster, Knapster, Crapster, Gnapster and Aimster to name but a few of the many programs now positioned to take up where Napster left off.

On the Internet, no one cares if you're a clone. Yet, clones may not be the only threat to the power of the RIAA. Artists like those belonging to the Future of Music Coalition are advocating new business models that would promote the online distribution of music and compensate artists at the same time. In the manifesto at their site [www.futureofmusic.org/], they argue that musicians have not had enough say in the distribution and promotion of their music and they encourage musicians and artists to work with the technology to loosen the grip of the major labels like those represented by the RIAA.

Here in Newfoundland, one enterprising music supporter is already using the technology to promote Newfoundland music. John Hutton, a individual who, for decades, has been active on the St. John's music scene, will soon launch a new music distribution site [www.newfoundlandmusic.com]. The site will sell Newfoundland music online in MP3 format. For a mere $1.59 per song, and a minimum of 3 downloads per transaction, consumers will be able to download individual tracks directly to their computer. Hutton's immediate plan is to give Newfoundland music a global presence and to provide a wider market for independent artists in Newfoundland and Labrador. The site will also include bios and pictures of the artists, links to related web sites as well as a live chat where individuals can ask questions or share comments about the music and artists. In the long term, Hutton hopes his business model and software will attract buyers who might want to exploit the technology to market music from other areas. For now, he is busy recruiting artists. If they already have their music recorded on cassette, vinyl, or on Cd, and if they are independent artists, Hutton can sign them on and convert their music to MP3 format for online global distribution.

Newfoundlandmusic.com won't exactly be our homespun clone of Napster. In spite of the low costs, it will not be free and only Newfoundland music will be available for download. At the same time, Hutton's initiative reminds us that, instead of concentrating on winning the war as the RIAA continues to do, the music industry could be putting more of its efforts into winning the peace. If independent Newfoundland artists want to be marketed outside of the province, they need to realize that, although there may not be a future for Napster, when it comes to the global sharing and distribution of music, the future is now.

Previously published in The Express 03/01
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