Napster Traffic Explodes Amid Closure Threat

NEW YORK — Napster Inc., a closely held online music-sharing service, more than quadrupled its users to 4.9 million people in July from 1.1 million in February, said Media Metrix Inc.

More than 6% of all home personal computers with modems use Napster, the study from the New York-based Internet-research company found. The Napster software, which lets people swap music files over the Internet, was the 43rd-most-popular home program.

Napster, founded last year, has been embroiled in legal battles with the music industry over copyright issues, increasing its profile. The Redwood City, Calif.-based company’s traffic surged 92% in July when a federal judge threatened to shut down the site.

Media Metrix began tracking Napster’s use among people at home in February.