KaZaA locks out users over fine threat

Napster-like file swapping service KaZaA has announced it is stopping people from downloading files from its site for the time being.

The Dutch company is voluntarily suspending all downloads because of a pending decision by the Dutch court on its future. The ruling is due to happen on 31 January.

KaZaA was ordered to shut down its operations last November, or face $40,000 per day in fines. At the end of last year the notorious file sharing site said it couldn't stop users from downloading copyrighted files claiming it didn't know who its users are because so many people had already downloaded its software.

The Dutch site, which allows both music and film files to be swapped, is involved in a further two court cases with the Recording Industry Association of America and the Motion Picture Association of America.