The Busch Memorial Center has been a battleground for ideas over the past year. From the Student Government Association to Charlton Heston’s appearance in 2000, it has become a hotbed for debate. Tonight the Saint Louis Room, at 7 p.m., becomes the battleground for yet another volatile issue: Napster.
Chuck D, of the infamous rap group Public Enemy, and Ted Myers, former Rhino Records Company Executive, will discuss the issue and questions presented to them by the Great Issues Committee. “We could not have timed it any better,” said Trisha Fechter, of the Great Issues Committee.
Recently, the Federal Ninth Circuit Court in San Francisco made a ruling that could potentially shut down the music-swapping giant. “We are very disappointed in this ruling by the three-judge panel and will seek appellate review,” said the company on its Web site.
The discussion between Chuck D and Mr. Myers is open to the general public, but a reception to be held afterward is open to only 100 Saint Louis University students. Passes are available at Student Life in the upper level of the BMC. “As of yesterday (Feb. 27) 70 were passed out,” said Fechter.
Napster, in its short life has become the center of attention in the music industry. It exploded onto college campuses in the fall of 1999 and was accused of breaking copyright laws from members of the music industry early in 2000. Spearheading the attack was Lars Ulrich of the heavy metal band, Metallica.
Mr. Ulrich and Shawn Fanning, creator of the Napster software, and several others, testified in a Senate hearing over the summer concerning the legality of distributing music online. The courts and Napster have become so synonymous that there is a “Legal Update” link on the company’s Web site.
“It is a hot topic, and the event should be attended by many,” said Fechter.
The cost for tonight’s extravaganza is $15,000, plus Chuck D’s air fare. “It will be worth it, and will be very exciting,” said Fechter.
The event, which begins at 7 p.m. and is expected to run until 8 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., is expected to show that the Great Issues Committee is not only used to address a political platform. After booking Charlton Heston last year, the committee came under fire, facing accusations of booking only conservative speakers.
In April the Great Issues Committee will be bringing former presidential candidate and political activist, Ralph Nader, to SLU.
