The company is hoping that the court will overturn a previous
ruling that ordered the company to stop making music available for
downloading from its members’ hard drives without the permission of
the copyright owners.
Napster argues that it is legal for people to swap MP3 music
files on-line, as long as they do not do so for profit. It bases
its argument on a law that was written without computers and the
internet in mind, the Audio Home Recording Act 1992. The RIAA is
hoping to shut down the Napster service.
A written opinion is expected from the panel of three judges in
the next few weeks. Whatever the decision, the case is expected to
be appealed to the US Supreme Court.
