Earlier this month Metallica filed suit against Napster, Inc. and three Universities because they believe that the Napster MP3 trading software violated their copyrights by allowing people to download CD quality copies of their songs. The three Universities originally named in the suit have since blocked use of the Napster product and Metallica has dropped the cases against them. 

The reason for the chat? The band issued a statement on April 27th that said in part, "We recognize that this is a very complicated issue with larger implications that our fans may not completely understand. We've always valued and respected our fans and wanted to discuss with them directly why we have brought this suit, and answer their questions and address their concerns directly."

We have been watching this story closely here at antiMUSIC and it has sparked quite a debate among our visitors. The fans are about equally divided on this issue. Some feel that Metallica has a legitimate grip with Napster and the lawsuit is warranted. Others think that Metallica is just being greedy or that this is proof that the band that got their start by having their demo tape traded among metal heads has sold out.  Regardless of which side you have taken, this chat should be interesting for all who participate  It should also give us all more insight into why Metallica feels that MP3's threaten bands while recording artist like the Offspring, Ice-T and Limp Bizkit have embraced the technology claiming it helps expose their music to more people and they sell more cd's in the end as a result. 

According to the statement, " Fans can post questions to Lars, James and Jason beginning 30 minutes prior to the chat by visiting www.artistdirect.com/metallica or http://chat.yahoo.com."  No word if there will actually be the opportunity to post questions to the band in real time during this chat. From the sounds of the above statement questions might be prescreened. 

Read the news items and fans comments thus far surrounding the Napster Law suit.  Metallica wants to get paid! 
Dr Dre jumps on anti-Napster bandwagon.
Who's suing who? Update - Dr. Dre, ICP, Lucas Films and Metallica 
Napster Lawsuit update 4-24 
The Offspring is not going after Napster