On CNN.com we find the recent development on KaZaA and Brilliant Digital. Some time ago we reported that KaZaA comes with software that creates a P2P network that can be used to use your HD space, CPU cycles and bandwidth for anything Brilliant Digital wants.
It seems however that the idea behind it isn't really that bad. What if they could use your CPU cycles, bandwidht or HD space and give you credits back, or where they could make money with to pay artists ? I think that would be a good businessplan. Here is what happens when Brilliant Digital enables their software:
On the chosen day, the slumbering software will be roused the next time the user connects to the KaZaA network. That activates the controversial software, a program called SecureInstall. It comes attached to Brilliant Digital's B3D projector, which is multimedia banner ad technology that is also automatically downloaded with the KaZaA client, says an Altnet spokesperson. KaZaA will prompt the user to upgrade to a new version of the KaZaA Media Desktop. Then, Brilliant Digital's SecureInstall will launch the download of a program to access the Altnet network. During the KaZaA client update, users will be able to opt out of the Altnet service, the spokesperson says. The company did not say this previously. |
Altnet is actually both a software program and the access point to a parallel peer-to-peer network that runs concurrently with KaZaA. Only the Altnet network will distribute Altnet content; KaZaA uses the FastTrack network to share its files. Altnet is independent of KaZaA and could function even if KaZaA or the FastTrack network is shuttered, Bermeister says.
At first, Altnet will market video and audio clips. Brilliant is negotiating with music labels and movie studios to market their material as well. The files will be copy-protected in some way, using Microsoft's digital rights management encryption technology. Restrictions could vary with the type of file or its source; a record label may let you copy a file once (onto a portable player, for example), or play it only a certain number of times. By clicking to download Altnet content, you are opting into the Altnet file-sharing portion of the network and its policies, Bermeister says.
Well if you can opt out in a decent way (clearly stated in the installation software and not sneaky hidden) it isn't that bad. They could maybe use the software for things I stated above, but they should let you choose if you want to participate or not...
Source: CNN.com
