Rock group Metallica famously fought a protracted legal battle with Napster in 2000 when Napster was allowing people to download music from each other for free. When the iTunes Music Store launched in 2003, the band stated that the downloading of songs would "contribute to the demise of the album format," and refused to allow their songs to be sold individually. This week, all of that changes, as Metallica songs are now available both on Napster and in the iTunes Music Store.
On the Metallica site, they describe the market-dominating iTMS as "a Cupertino, CA based upstart outfit, who we feel may very well have a bright future." This is a dramatic shift in tone from Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Robert Trujillo, and Lars Ulrich, but is prompted in part by changes in the industry, and in part by watching the incredible number of songs sold by iTunes. All of Metallica's back catalog is now available, and to prompt album purchases, they have added previously-unreleased tracks to their first four albums (Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets and ...And Justice for All) which are available only with a full-album purchase. All of the previously-released songs are available for individual purchase.
Metallica joins other major artists who have only recently agreed to provide their music via iTunes, such as Madonna, Dave Matthews Band, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Still unavailable are Led Zeppelin, Radiohead, and The Beatles. The recent legal loss of Apple Records in Apple v. Apple does not bode well for the introduction of The Beatles to iTMS, but as Apple Computer continues to sell hundreds of millions of songs and control three-quarters of legal music downloads, Apple Records may one day reverse themselves just as Metallica has done.
Napster's only relation to the organization previously known as Napster is the name, so Metallica's willingness to work with them now is unsurprising. Long gone are the days when Lars Ulrich hand-delivered a list of 30,000 usernames he claimed were illegally trafficking in Metallica songs. The only real change in the recent announcement is their willingness to make individual songs available for download, though they are sweetening the deal for album purchases to try to motivate people to spend a little more to get a lot more. Still, Metallica's announcement focused on their new availability in the iTMS, and didn't mention Napster at all, and many of their songs are only available as album purchases at Napster, instead of as individual songs as with iTMS.
Somewhat ironically for the band that once worked hand-in-hand with their label and the RIAA to prosecute Napster users, they are now fighting with the label that carries their music outside of the U.S. and Canada, and the new downloads are only available in North America. As the band explains, "This is unfortunately due to the fact that our record company overseas doesn't seem to want to play ball with us on this at the moment."
Article comments
1 - Anna Creech
Well, that's good. I like only one Metallica song, anyway. ("Master of Puppets")
2 - Joe Jackson
They are just interested in the money... They could care less about anything but money. That is what it was about to begin with.
Continue the Lars Boycott!
Joe
3 - Les Slater
I got the whole 'And Justice for All' album, including the two bonus live tracks from iTunes. I got the CD somewhere but can't find it.
4 - John
But I already downloaded those five years ago.
5 - jim
this proves we are getting them in the wallet.
continue the boycott.
napster itunes metallica all belong together.
6 - lane
I remember when I downloaded a Metalicka song on Napster. I got this message saying that I was ”banned by Metallica”. Am I still banned? Lars, can you buy a G4 instead of a G3 now? Sofa King Wee Todd Did!!!
- LANE, FORT WORTH, TEXAS
7 - Lane
I thought it was so cool of Metallica to play at San Quentin for all the murderers and rapists. The money that they made off of that video was used to provide legal expenses to get those "fine upstanding citizens" out of prison. Screw the victims!!!
8 - Mario
I've become a big fan of this Band and Now Its great because Most of the tunes I know are from the radio. I can now check out the more obscure Metalica tracks that most times turnout to be the best,as in other bands. The big thing is that these guys are getting their entitlement from fans. Just try being in a band that sells cds to make a living. You'll soon learn its not all that easy. Good luck to Metalica and others who follow. M
9 - Karl
I have purchased my share of Metalica. If I want it as a free download then so be it. Add me to the list Lars. I'm not losing any sleep over it.
10 - Dominic (Montreal, Canada)
I WAS A HUGE FAN of metallica for many years, bought all their albums, praised their tunes; they were near-gods to me... until ONE DAY THEY TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THEIR FANS. Just to hear the name Metallica now makes me wanna puke. I discovered and bought so much more music thanks to the old Napster than I ever did listening to the radio or listening to music with friends. «Napster good! Metallica Baaad!» Boycott.
11 - Big Daddy
Remember, it's Lars who started this crap! The rest of the band could care less.
12 - Richard
I was a Metallica fan and buyer until the day I saw the "You have been banned by Metallica" message from Napster.
My offence was downloading a song I allready owned on CD.
I no longer BUY any Metallica music!
IF Lars Ulrich personally apologizes to the fans,
I may forgive, but I'll NEVER forget!
Keep up the boycott!
13 - Wiggo
Radiohead are on iTunes now. Have been for a while.