Pitchfork

Looks like the RIAA is getting its way again. As of late last night, Audiogalaxy, which has rapidly replaced Napster as the web's most accessible MP3 trading source, has blocked the vast majority of its files. Virtually everything with a copyright is now prevented from downloading, although a handful of artists who have specifically authorized the company to share their music can still be accessed.

Reports surfaced last week that the Recording Industry Association of America was ready to move in on the website, but few anticipated such an immediate and drastic change. And while blocking files is not something new to Audiogalaxy-- they have blocked certain files over the past few months at artists' and labels' request-- most music remained available until last night. Of course, all this blocking is not foolproof: as with Napster, copyrighted MP3s with slightly altered filenames can still be downloaded.

At this point, Audiogalaxy has not issued a statement explaining their decision, but the future of the company, and widespread MP3 trading in general, does seem uncertain. On the bright side, at least they haven't taken away our CD burners. Yet.