Napster on Wednesday (7/26) was ordered by a federal court judge to shut down its controversial MP3 file-trading network. The company reportedly has until Friday (7/28) to comply.

U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel on Wednesday (7/26), after hearing arguments from lawyers representing both Napster and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), issued what many are calling a surprisingly swift decision. Patel, at the end of the hearing, announced her decision to grant the RIAA’s request for an injunction that calls for Napster to immediately shut down its popular music-trading network.

Patel reportedly also chose not to stay her own injunction. Had she done so, Napster might have avoided any shut-down while it seeks an emergency stay from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

"We are pleased with the Court's decision,” said RIAA senior executive vice president and general counsel Cary Sherman in a prepared statement. “This decision will pave the way for the future of on-line music. This once again establishes that the rules of the road are the same on-line as they are off-line and sends a strong message to others that they cannot build a business based on others' copyrighted works without permission.”

LiveDaily will publish a full report Thursday (7/27) on the latest developments in the Napster saga.

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