So the whole Napster/Metallica debacle. It's amazing the outpouring of vitriol this is inspiring. And all because Metallica wanted to protect their intellectual property.

Of course this isn't something they should be allowed to do. This is all much more important to us than it is to them. After all, it's only everything they've built their lives on. We LISTEN to the music. Who do they think they are?

Stupid things I've heard during this mud-slinging match:

1. "Metallica always supported bootlegs and now they're being fascist." The point of this all is that they're only interested in stopping trade in MP3s made from their recorded albums. Fans' own recordings from concerts and all that are not targets. Metallica doesn't want to stop them, just the illegal pirates of recorded, produced, released and copyrighted music.

2. "They're just doing it for the money. They're so fucking greedy!" Yes of course, because no one could possibly care about retaining control over something they've worked so hard to produce. And I'm sure Napster isn't making a profit at all.

3. "We made them rich and famous in the first place! They owe us!" Because James Hetfield stood over you with a knife and made you buy all those albums. And singles. And t-shirts. Or whatever. You gave Metallica (and their record label) your money of your own free will because you liked their music. At what point did Metallica become beholden to you? When did you become their dictator? What gives you the right to reduce them to your servants? No, because you still pay servants. Your slaves.

4. "They sold out when they got their hair cut. I could see this coming." I immediately see the connection between hair-dressing and 'selling out'. Morons. Metallica realised they were getting older and couldn't credibly pretend to be punk teens any longer. Perhaps it's time you realised the same. The only thing more pathetic than an aging hippie in denial is an aging punk-rocker in denial.

Basically, I fully and loudly support what Metallica has done. Napster is ripping off artists - all artists, not just Metallica. Metallica has the clout to make a stand and be taken notice of. By doing this, they are at least attempting to protect those artists who don't have the sort of income the Metallica boys do, and who are really suffering. And they're being victimised by stupid, selfish, whinging layabouts who can't be fucking bothered to obey the laws of their country.