Skip to content

The man who fought Napster is now fighting AI

November 9, 2026 · 1 h 14 min

Show notes

I was in college when Napster hit, and the RIAA instantly became the big villain because it was suing kids for downloading music. That was when I decided to go be a copyright lawyer, which set the rest of my career in motion — and Mitch Glazier was in the background as a young lawyer at the RIAA, on the other side of those cases.

So part of me was very deeply, very genuinely surprised to discover just how much fun I had talking to Mitch, who's now on the same side as musicians and audiences in the fight against AI. 

Read the full interview transcript on The Verge.

Links: 

  • Major labels propose rules to keep AI slop off charts | The Verge
  • Suno snatched songs from YouTube, Genius, and Deezer | The Verge
  • Villain of Napster era turns on AI firms: ‘It’s a lot more fun now’ | LA Times
  • Spotify working with record labels on ‘responsible’ AI tools | The Verge
  • Warner Music signs deal with Suno, settles lawsuit  | TechCrunch
  • Universal Music and Udio sign partnership, settle lawsuit | Associated Press

Subscribe to The Verge to access the ad-free version of Decoder!

Credits:

Decoder is a production of The Verge and part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.

Decoder’s producers are Greg Ott, Kate Cox, and Nick Statt. Our editors are Xander Adams and Ursa Wright. Our editorial director is Kevin McShane. 

The Decoder music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All episodes of Decoder with Nilay Patel

Settings

Display

Language

Decides which stations you see first on the home page.

History

Recently played stations and episodes and your latest searches are only stored in this browser.

Notifications

A short notice when a podcast you follow has a new episode. Turn off single podcasts with the bell on their page.

Account

Save favorites – in the app and on the website.

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Open search
Space
Play or pause
← →
In the player: back 15 s, forward 30 s (episodes) · in a row: next tile
↑ ↓
In a row: target within the tile
Home / End
In a row: first or last tile
Esc
Close window or menu
?
This overview
Now playing

Go to station page

Play next

    Add episodes with “Play next” – they play after the current episode.