Since Napster arrived in 1999 to pioneer the unfettered exchange of music files over the internet, the record industry has responded with a two-pronged strategy. It has done its best to stop illegal file-swapping in the courts. And it has backed several subscription-based online music services, to provide a legal alternative to piracy. So far, neither approach has had much impact. But the events of the past few days may prove a turning point for online music, in the courts and in the market.
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