1.   CD-ROMs have become the medium of choice for distributing software and audio.

2.   Microsoft has noticed, and is fighting back with ActiveX, its method for distributing software over networks.

3.   Regardless of whether this roll-your-own approach takes off, nobody is disputing the advantages of distributing software on a CD-ROM.

4.   Tapping into the possibilities, Napster achieved success by distributing software that permitted users to exchange music files that they kept on their home computers.

5.   The major recording companies have sued both parties for distributing software used to exchange music for free over the Internet.

6.   A Russian computer programer is accused of distributing software that allows users to copy electronic books, a violation of federal anti-piracy law.

7.   Elcomsoft is accused of distributing software that can break code protecting digital versions of books.