Shawn Fanning, born on November 22, 1980, is an American entrepreneur and software developer best known for creating Napster, one of the first peer-to-peer file sharing platforms. His innovative approach to music sharing revolutionized the way people consumed music online, sparking significant changes in the music industry.

Fanning developed Napster while he was still a student at Northeastern University in Boston. The platform allowed users to share and download music files directly from each other's computers, bypassing traditional distribution channels. Although Napster faced legal challenges and eventually shut down, it laid the groundwork for future streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.

After Napster, Fanning continued to pursue his passion for technology and entrepreneurship. He founded Snocap, a digital rights management company that aimed to help content owners manage their intellectual property in the digital age. Additionally, Fanning has been involved in several startups and continues to innovate in the tech space.

Shawn Fanning's contributions have had a lasting impact on the digital landscape, particularly in the realm of music consumption and digital rights management. His work has inspired many in the tech community and serves as a reminder of the power of innovation and creativity.