The move follows an order by an Amsterdam court requiring it to
stop individuals from swapping files of copyright-protected
music.
However, the company is powerless to stop those who previously
downloaded the peer-to-peer software from using it to share
infringing files and, to date, it is reported that the software has
been downloaded more than 27 million times. In the last week alone
it was downloaded 960,000 times, according to Download.com.
When imposing its order, the court said that failure to comply
would result in a daily fine of €45,000 (around £28,000). According
to reports, this has yet to be enforced. KaZaA has argued that
compliance with the order is impossible because its system, unlike
that of Napster, is decentralised.
Other media reports today comment on the low uptake of the
fee-based music sites which are operated with the approval and
support of the music industry.
