Napster, Offspring Reach Charitable Agreement

After a hilarious fit of irony involving Napster, Inc. issuing a cease and desist order to www.offspring.com for selling Napster merchandise without the permission of the MP3-sharing software Web site, the two camps have reached a mutual agreement.

The official Web site of the Offspring began selling T-shirts, stickers, and hats bearing the Napster logo last Wednesday (May 31) without the San Mateo, Calif-based company's permission. On Monday (June 5), the two camps agreed to work together to offer an even more extensive line of Napster products with the proceeds going to a mutually-selected charity chosen by the Offspring's Dexter Holland and Napster founder Shawn Fanning.

"The Offspring have been great supporters of Napster," said Fanning in a statement released on Monday. "We are looking forward to working with them."

Holland added, "T-shirts Good!" a reference to the hilarious "Napster Bad!" parody by www.campchaos.com released last month (May 12).

By Kevin Raub, from Allstar - June 5, 2000