Madster Lawyers Can’t Withdraw, Judge Says

A federal judge has ordered lawyers for Madster, an online file-sharing service formerly known as Aimster, to keep representing their client at least until a preliminary injunction is in place against the service.

U.S. District Judge Marvin E. Aspen ruled that record labels and music publishers were likely to win their copyright infringement lawsuit and granted a preliminary injunction against Madster on Sept. 4. Since then, the two sides have been arguing over its terms. The labels and publishers submitted a proposed injunction Sept. 11 that would require Madster to block users from downloading copyrighted songs--a requirement that could cripple Madster by driving away its users. Shortly after, the two law firms representing Madster sought to withdraw from the case.

Aspen denied their request and gave the lawyers until Oct. 16 to respond to the labels’ proposal.