Sometimes, the record industry does get paid

Kazaa will and immediately morph into a legal download service, under terms of a settlement reached with the four major music companies. Universal Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, EMI Group, and Warner Music will finally collect payment on songs that were pirated in droves back when Kazaa (owned by Sharman Networks) was the hottest game in town. While this is undoubtedly a huge victory for the music industry, I have to wonder about the long-term ramifications of such mixed-messaging. I mean, if you've been using Kazaa to steal music all this time, didn't Sharman Networks just totally pick up your tab? (Don't go thinking you're in the clear, kids. There's still the RIAA.)