Napster is invented in Boston.

Shawn Fanning invents the first Internet music file sharing program while a student at Northeastern University. Attributing the breakthrough by explaining, “I was bored. I had some free time,” Fanning’s program becomes widely popular with high school and college students, but is criticized by the music industry and many artists for making music available without payment. Various courts subsequently order the company formed to operate Napster to stop its distribution of copyrighted material, effectively putting an end to the program.