Metallica, Dr. Dre end 'beefs' with Napster

By Richard Stenger
CNN

(CNN) -- The Internet song-sharing service Napster announced Thursday that it resolved a long, contentious legal battle with heavy metal rock band Metallica and hip-hop music legend Dr. Dre.

The accord came as a glimmer of good news for the beleaguered Napster, reeling from a series of federal court rulings placing heavy restrictions on the service. The popular song-sharing network has been offline since July 2.

"Our beef hasn't been with the concept of sharing music; the problem with Napster was that they never asked us of other artists if we wanted to participate," said Lars Ulrich, co-founder of Metallica.

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Ulrich said that the settlement would create the kind of protection that artists have sought from Napster, where millions of audiophiles have swapped digital music files with no cost and no hassles.

Until about six months ago, when a U.S. court agreed with Metallica, Dr. Dre and music industry plaintiffs that the service violated copyright laws. In recent months, Napster use has dwindled as it attempted to place filters on the service to comply with the ruling.

Hank Barry, interim CEO of Napster, had nothing but accolades for his former legal foe.

"Metallica has taken a courageous stand and a tough and principled approach to the protection of its name," he said. "We regret any harm which this dispute may have caused them."

Napster offered similar praise for Dr. Dre, who said after the announcement, "I work hard making music. That's how I earn a living. Now that Napster's agreed to respect that, I don't have any beef with them."

Another judicial order on Wednesday exacted an even heavier price on Napster. The Redwood City, California-based music distribution network could not remain online until the filters are 100 percent effective.

Napster said it would appeal the decision of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.