Napster was a “Peer 2 Peer” file sharing service that started a huge controversy between music fans and music record labels in the late 90s. Its case was unique because it was the first issue of file sharing to open up a debate in the mainstream media. In the time since Napster lost the lawsuit, several other sites with similar models like Limewire and Grokster were shut down as well.
Napster launched in June 1999, and at its peak had registered 80 million users. The website was massively popular and more successful than similar sites like Hotline and USENET. This was largely due to Napster’s user-friendly interface and specific catering towards MP3 files. The original Napster closed in June 2001.
Napster still exists today, although it is no longer a file sharing site, and is under the management of Rhapsody. Its name was re-purposed when Roxio bought the domain after the big trial, where Napster had been ordered to cease all operations.
In the last legs of the 90s this service was an easy way for broke teenagers to download as much music as they wanted for free. As a result it became massively popular.