Metallica v Napster

Q: Which Band Filed a Lawsuit Against Napster on April 14, 2000?

A: Metallica

On April 14, 2000, the heavy metal band Metallica made headlines by filing a lawsuit against Napster, the popular peer-to-peer file sharing service that had taken the internet by storm.

At the heart of the lawsuit was Napster’s role in allowing users to share music files — often without paying for them. Metallica accused Napster of copyright infringement, asserting that the platform enabled fans to download and distribute their songs illegally. The move sparked a fiery debate about music ownership, artist rights, and the future of digital music distribution.

Metallica’s lawsuit wasn’t just about their music being shared — it was also a statement about artistic control and fair compensation. Their bold stance made them one of the first major artists to challenge digital piracy, putting them at the centre of a cultural shift in the music industry.

While controversial at the time, the case helped pave the way for the development of legal music streaming services we rely on today.

In hindsight, April 14, 2000, marked more than just a legal battle — it was a turning point in how we consume music in the digital age.