Napster on the silver screen

Napster cost American recording companies millions in lost revenue. Or at least, that’s what the Recording Industry Association of America spokespeople tell us. Whether anyone actually made any money off Napster, either directly or indirectly, is a

Napster cost American recording companies millions in lost revenue. Or at least, that's what the Recording Industry Association of America spokespeople tell us. Whether anyone actually made any money off Napster, either directly or indirectly, is a matter of conjecture. However, that doesn't mean the Napster brand name is worthless. Far from it.

American music channel MTV has plans in motion to turn Napster into a money making venture, but not by reactivating the bankrupt service. Rather, MTV will be making Napster the Movie.

Yep, that's right. One of the most highly visible symbols of the industry that crushed Napster under a flood of subpoenas, lawsuits and paperwork will be making a film centred on the life of Napster creator, Shawn Fanning.

According to this Reuters story, Mr Fanning may even be persuaded to star as himself. Then perhaps he will finally have enough money to pay back the legal bills and, if he's lucky, buy a Big Mac meal at the end of it all.

Now only one question remains: is this an opportunity to have the perfect end to the entire Napster saga? I.e.: what if MTV made Napster the Movie, but no one came to see it?