Photo: wenn.com
Metallica's tracks will be available on the music streaming service Spotify, ending the band's 12-year feud with Napster.
The fued stemmed from a court case in 2000 in which Metallica sued Napster for copyright infringement. Napster were forced to remove not only the band's music, but the users that had downloaded the tracks as well. This left many Metallica fans feeling wrongly punished and it was a move that divided the music industry at the time.
Napster co-founder, Sean Parker appeared on stage with Metallica drummer, Lars Ulrich to discuss their bitter legal battle.
Parker told the audience: "Back in 1999 we were depicted as these greedy pirates that basically were just trying to create a free-for-all and enable the stealing of music. We just wanted to make music more free as in freedom, not free as in theft."
Napster was forced into bankruptcy, but relaunched in 2011 and is now a legal music subscription site.
Metallica's entire back catalogue will be available on Spotify
Reflecting on the feud, Ulrich felt that he and his band members just wanted control of everything.
He said: "When you live in a bubble the main thing you want is complete control over what you do."
"That was taken away. The control option had been taken away from us - and then it turned into a street fight. Let's meet them in the back alley!"
Metallica now own their entire back catalogue, which is a moment they have been waiting for for 15 years.
Spotify have also announced a new range of features for the site including the ability to 'follow' influential people and their tastes. Justin Bieber, Sir Paul McCartney and US President Barack Obama can all be followed to find out what they are listening to.
Photos: Metallica live in Milan, 2011
