Rock Band’s Web Site Hawks Napster Goodies

At least someone’s making money off Napster. Orange County punk-rock group The Offspring, which has supported the controversial music-swapping software company, started hawking unauthorized Napster merchandise last week on the band’s Web site, https://www.offspring.com.

The band plans to keep the profits from all sales, although sources say the revenue is likely to be minimal.

Baseball caps and T-shirts bearing the Napster logo--a white cat wearing blue headphones--sell for $10; bumper stickers with the company name and brand cost $1.

Offspring’s sale of bootleg Napster goodies amused the online music community, which has been divided over the issue of music piracy and digital distribution.

Napster officials declined to comment on the issue Friday. The San Mateo, Calif., company is battling a slew of copyright litigation from the recording industry, as well as artists Metallica and Dr. Dre.