A controversial peer-to-peer file-sharing service for music and movies that allowed users to illegally download copyrighted material onto tens of millions of computers since its founding in 2001. Almost immediately, the Grokster organization was embroiled in a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by major U.S. record companies, motion picture studios and music publishers. In November 2005, an out-of-court settlement was finally reached that immediately shut down the Grokster system and swapping software. See
peer-to-peer network.
Revival Attempt
With the intention of launching a legal music service, just days after the lawsuit settled, the company's remaining assets were purchased by Mashboxx.com, run by former Grokster president, Wayne Rosso.