Over the
past few months P2P software makers claimed that it is not possible to filter content on their
networks . Los Gatos, California-based Audible Magic aims to prove that content can be filtered by showing off its technology incorporated in popular peer-to-peer software and grabbing attention at legislative offices in Washington D.C. The
company is even receiving support and backing from the RIAA since their previous
demonstration to the RIAA back in January.
Shortly before the original Napster's closure, it started by filtering by keywords used in copyrighted music. After users began renaming their music to avoid the filters, Napster moved onto fingerprinting technology from Relatable which did not rely on the song titles to filter, thus significantly cutting out the amount of copyright material shared just prior to Napster's closure. Audible Magic works in a similar way by identifying "psycho-acoustical" properties of the music. This method only needs a small portion of a song to be identified and also works with poorly encoded audio.
Audible magic offers two versions of its software - one focused on implementation in file sharing software and the other at the internet service provider. The software implementation works regardless of the user location so long as the user updates their software. The ISP implementation only works for blocking suspect traffic on subscribers of that ISP. In order for the software to work in either case, it must contact a central database to check each shared or downloading track with to determine wither to disallow it being shared or cut off a download/upload in progress.
Audible magic is far from perfect as it first relies on either the user to update their file sharing software or the ISP to implement it on their end. It is not much of a challenge for hackers to either break the technology or strip it out of the software. Finally, the ISP implementation is ineffective against encrypted file sharing networks such as MUTE. AngelDeath submitted the following news from CNET via our news submit :
|
Los Gatos, Calif.-based Audible Magic has been making the rounds of Washington, D.C., legislative and regulatory offices for the last month, showing off technology it says can sit inside peer-to-peer software and automatically stop swaps of copyrighted music from artists such as Britney Spears or Outkast. The company's technology is still being tested and could yet prove unworkable. But limited demonstrations have already turned some heads in legislative offices. "It is definitely something that is interesting to people on (Capitol) Hill," said one senior congressional staffer who had seen the demonstration and requested anonymity. "We are open to all kinds of different solutions at this point. Having the technological ability to do this certainly opens up some opportunities." Audible Magic has predictably become a protege of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which has helped the company gain entree to official Washington circles. The group says Audible Magic's technology, or something like it, should be adopted by file-swapping companies if they are serious about not supporting widespread copyright infringement. The RIAA's backing, and the month-long press tour, has given the technology new credibility in legislative, regulatory and university circles. After watching a demonstration at RIAA headquarters in late January, University of Rochester Provost Chuck Phelps said he instructed his technology staff to evaluate the technology for use on his campus. The RIAA isn't pressing for legislation or enforced usage of Audible Magic's software, at least not yet. Indeed, in an election year, any serious congressional attention to the issue is unlikely. But peer-to-peer companies are keenly aware of the potential for political strong arming--and of the threat it poses to the world of file swapping. Privacy advocates and file-swapping backers have been deeply critical of any technology that would enforce monitoring or blocking of file swapping or any other Internet service. They argue that filters could infringe on free speech and block technological innovation, all to serve the entertainment industry's relatively narrow interests. Read the full story here. |
If the recording industry are happy with audible magic, it looks like they or someone else will tempted to try and implement legislation that makes it unlawful to use file sharing software that does not filter copyrighted material. If the music industry does not find a way to tolerate the age of file swapping, they can expect to face a worse problem in the coming years. The flat rate monthly fee for
unlimited file sharing is currently the best approach I can see to solve the current problem the music industry is facing. It would pay the artists, the music industry and even keep the music lovers happy.
AngelDeath wrote: This is nothing more than another software company trying to get into the lime light. There has been various things that have been thought of and are all in testing, but again, it has a flaw from the start, just cause the code can be put into the P2P software doesn't mean that they will add it, and even if they did, how do they plan to stop the people who stay with the version they have to avoid the software? I still believe the best solution is adopting Canada's way of solving the dispute.
Feel free to discuss and read about file sharing, legal issues and alternatives on our Music Downloads, P2P & Legal Issues Forum.
Source: CNET News - The Net
