WIRED Staff
Culture

Slideshow: Book Excerpt: All the Rave

What were the behind-the-scenes machinations that led to several music publishers suing Bertelsmann earlier this year? In this excerpt from author Joseph Menn explains how the German publishing conglomerate's alliance with Napster went wrong.
Image may contain Clothing Apparel Shirt Human and Person
Napster founder Shawn Fanning appeared as a presenter in Radio City Music Hall for the MTV Video Music Awards in September, 2000. Nearly a month later the astonishing alliance between his company and the parent of one of its five archenemies, German publishing conglomerate Bertelsmann AG was announced.AP Photo/Dan Loh

See related story: Book Excerpt: All the Rave

Image may contain Text Label Advertisement Poster Logo Symbol Trademark Brochure Paper and Flyer

, Joseph Menn makes some startling revelations about Shawn Fannings bumbling uncle, John Fanning. Details of his influence over Shawn were not reported elsewhere, and implicate him as a major liability for a company that was already doomed by copyright law.

Random House, Inc./Crown Business