Getting Bad with Apple | Newsmakers | CNET News.com

Getting Bad with Apple | Newsmakers | CNET News.com: "Michael Robertson's reputation rests on the string of companies he's started, from MP3.com to Linspire.
But that reputation stems at least as much from his habit of thumbing his nose at those in power. He has fought major lawsuits from the big record labels and Microsoft, losing tens of millions of dollars in the process, but ultimately coming out ahead each time.
He started the original MP3.com in mid-1997, when the digital music phenomenon was just beginning to hit the cultural radar. The company was ultimately sued by the major labels and music publishers for copyright infringement, and was sold to Universal Music Group after striking settlement deals that neared $200 million. CNET Networks, the publisher of News.com, now owns the MP3.com domain name and uses it for an unrelated business."