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  • November 2006 (Revised March 2007)
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eDonkey--Deciding the Future of File Sharing

By: Felix Oberholzer-Gee
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:11
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Abstract

Sam Yagan, CEO of the upstart MetaMachine, Inc., received a letter from the Recording Industry Association of America, Inc. (RIAA) asking him to shut down eDonkey, MetaMachine's popular file-sharing system. In September 2005, more than 30 million users relied on eDonkey to share digital files, making MetaMachine's software the most popular file-sharing client in the world. But now the end seemed close. Was there a way to save eDonkey? Was it time for Yagan to get out? He had little time to figure out his next move.

Keywords

Applications and Software; Crisis Management; Music Entertainment; Legal Liability; Copyright; Information Technology Industry; Music Industry; United States

Citation

Oberholzer-Gee, Felix. "eDonkey--Deciding the Future of File Sharing." Harvard Business School Case 707-482, November 2006. (Revised March 2007.)
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About The Author

Felix Oberholzer-Gee

Strategy
→More Publications

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  • Hey, Insta & YouTube, Are You Watching TikTok? By: Felix Oberholzer-Gee
  • 4 Business Ideas That Changed the World: Disruptive Innovation By: Amy Bernstein, Rita McGrath, Felix Oberholzer-Gee and Derek van Bever
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