Distributed file sharing: barbarians at the gates?

Will the MP3 format and Napster's distributed file sharing bankrupt music publishers or help them reach even more consumers? Given technology's relentless pace, a Palm X or Nokia 3G phone may become the ultimate MP3 platform of choice. The author is putting his money on a closed, Web-based system, however. Regardless, with AOL/Time Warner - the world's largest media/Internet/cable/browser/e-mail company - in this race, we should be guaranteed an exciting ride.