ARTISTdirect Gets MediaDefender

Online music portal ARTISTdirect has acquired anti-piracy firm MediaDefender Inc. for $42.5 million in cash as part of an ongoing restructuring.

MediaDefender uses technology to stymie unauthorized downloading of songs by flooding file-sharing networks with bogus tracks.

ARTISTdirect said it plans to apply MediaDefender’s anti-piracy technology in other formats as well, including DVD, video, computer games, software and e-books.

Both companies will continue operating under their brand names and no layoffs are expected.