Muxtape

Originally founded as a service that allowed users to create virtual "Mixtapes", Muxtape found itself in conflict with the RIAA in August 2008. After being shut down for almost a month, the site announced its plans to return. On September 26, 2008, Muxtape resurfaced. This time, however, the site will only feature music from Indie bands, as a licensing deal with the major recording labels was unsuccessful.ars technica: Muxtape Reborn as Showcase for Bands... (September 26, 2008) Muxtape was created by photographer and web designer Justin Ouellette.

On September 26, 2008, Muxtape reopened as a showcase for bands. Compared to the new MySpace Music,ars technica: Muxtape Reborn as Showcase for Bands... (September 26, 2008) the site's new format was the result of several weeks of fruitless negotiation with major record labels, culminating with a shutdown of Muxtape's server after a complaint from the RIAA.Conde Nast Portfolio: Muxtape Explains RIAA Shutdown (September 26, 2008) On the front page of the newly relaunched Muxtape site, Justin Ouellette said "I realize this is a somewhat radical shift in functionality, but Muxtape’s core goals haven’t changed. I still want to challenge the way we experience music online, and I still want to work to enable what I think is the most interesting aspect of interconnected music: discovering new stuff."Muxtape: relaunching soon, in the service of bands (September 26, 2008)

On Monday, August 18, 2008, Muxtape went offline, apparently in response to a legal issue with the RIAA (The Recording Industry Association of America). Users to the site were told that "Muxtape will be unavailable for a brief period while we sort out a problem with the RIAA."MTV: Muxtape Shuts Down To Sort Out RIAA Issues (August 19, 2008) Also, a message on Muxtape's Tumblr page informed users that "No artists or labels have complained. The site is not closed indefinitely. Stay tuned."Tumblr: Muxtape