# The final word on Napster **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 3, 2000, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835 "2000-09-03T03:21:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/1 "2000-09-03T03:21:54Z")
[http://www.comics.com/universal/tombug/archive/images/tombug2000081522326.gif](http://www.comics.com/universal/tombug/archive/images/tombug2000081522326.gif) Heh heh heh. –Tim ---
**Author:** ![tubagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b77776/32.png) [@tubagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tubagirl)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/2 "2000-09-03T03:25:55Z")
LOL, thanks, I needed that. it is getting lonely here at work…😉 ---
**Author:** ![Daniel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Daniel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/3 "2000-09-03T04:20:52Z")
he he he ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/4 "2000-09-03T15:12:36Z")
The strip is completely clueless and only the ignorant would think the author has a point. Libraries don’t copy books; Napster does. That is a big difference and the essential point. If you refuse to respect music copyrights, then you find far less music to listen to. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/5 "2000-09-03T15:17:10Z")
But I have to admit, the following line made me laugh hard! “The inventor of the system is Melvil Dewey, a plucky 149-year-old who’s been dead for 69 years, **so his business plan is unclear.** ” ---
**Author:** ![Wump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ed655f/32.png) [@Wump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wump)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/6 "2000-09-03T17:03:15Z")
Uh, chuck, since when are cartoons 100% realistic? although ur point is true… ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/7 "2000-09-03T18:38:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RealityChuck \* > **The strip is completely clueless and only the ignorant would think the author has a point. Libraries don’t copy books . . .** Couldn’t someone, if they _ **REALLY** _ wanted to, borrow a book, transcribe it (type it, write it, record themself reading it, photocopy, whatever)? Could they? Would that be against the law if they were going to use it again themselves? ---
**Author:** ![Homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homer)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/8 "2000-09-03T21:01:29Z")
Chuck, I think that the point being made is that the RIAA is worried because you can get any music you want for free. The same is true with books from libraries. The methodology is irrelevant, the point is being made that the publishing industry is no worse for libraries, and the RIAA is no worse for Napster. Besides, you can borrow any CD from any library and copy it. You don’t see the RIAA bitching about that, do you? No. They always throw a shit fit about new technology. [Remember this article?](http://www.theonion.com/onion3618/kid_rock_starves.html) This is just a funny cartoon posted for the enjoyment of those who are tired of the whole Napster debacle. If you want a great debate, start one there, please. Sheesh. –Tim ---
**Author:** ![JoeyHemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/7ba0ec/32.png) [@JoeyHemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeyHemlock)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2000, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-final-word-on-napster/31835/9 "2000-09-03T21:36:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*Couldn’t someone, if they _ **REALLY** _ wanted to, borrow a book, transcribe it (type it, write it, record themself reading it, photocopy, whatever)? Could they? Would that be against the law if they were going to use it again themselves? \*\* Couldn’t someone, if they REALLY wanted to, go out and learn to play some musical instruments and play the song for their own enjoyment? I don’t think the record companies would have a problem with that. Musicians put a lot of work into their songs, and they deserve to make money off of that. It’s their living. If they want to give it away free, then more power to them. If not, then people should respect that. If you’re telling yourself that MP3’s are anything more than stealing, then you’re lying to yourself. If you want to do it, then that’s fine with me, but don’t try to tell me that it’s not stealing it. How the hell did I get on this soapbox?