back2basics Posted June 6 Report Share Posted June 6 Musicians trying to stop online piracy of their work face a new threat as two UK programmers create an MP3 file sharing system that will be almost impossible to shut down. The pair hope the system will avoid many of the problems that have dogged the Napster MP3 sharing system. Napster has been a target for outraged musicians and record companies keen to make an example of those pirating their works. The Napster system lists all users and the files they are willing to swap on a single server. Recording artists such as Metallica and Dr Dre have won access to this central listing and helped them identify Napster users pirating their music. Between them, the two artists found over 500,000 Napster users who they claim were guilty of illegally sharing MP3 files. Most of those identified by the artists were shut out of the service even though many of them claimed they had been wrongly identified as pirates. Pop programming Now, two British programmers calling themselves Xor and RandomDan are hoping to avoid these problems by creating a system, called Metallicster, that has no central server. Instead, the file system listing who owns what will be distributed across the internet. No single computer will maintain a central directory. B&S: An all MP3 LP The owners of MP3 files will be identified but tracking them across hundreds of computers and launching a legal action will be very difficult. A spokesman for the British Phonographic Industry said launching a legal action against the writers of the software would be tricky if past legal precedents were any guide. In the past, British and European courts have ruled that just because something can be used for piracy is no reason to ban it. Xor, spokesman for the Metallicster project, said the pair were planning to use their summer holiday to work on the system. "We could hack it together in about two weeks," he said, "instead we're looking for funding for three months to put a proper effort into it." Several offers of funding have been made because of the publicity surrounding Metallicster said Xor. Now they are planning to write the software and then make it available on the internet for people to use as they wish. Digital decisions They have no plans to launch their own MP3 file sharing service. The music industry is currently undecided over the best way to use the internet to boost the popularity of pop stars. Many record companies are pushing a secure an alternative to MP3 but the cumbersome system has so far found few fans. Some independent labels are much keener to use MP3 to keep fans in touch with their favourite artists. This week indie favourites Belle and Sebastian are making an MP3 version of their new album available on the icrunch website. Old-fashioned CD versions will also be for sale. Also available will be previously unavailable video clips of the band in action. ------------------I want to go out blazing not fade away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pilla Posted July 10 Report Share Posted July 10 so whats the site Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Posted July 13 Report Share Posted July 13 HOLY SHITBALLS!! How do you get 351 posts and you only became a member this year???!!Evan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kove Posted July 13 Report Share Posted July 13 B2B, you truly are the man for info.Keep us posted, eh?------------------~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
factory156 Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 b2b loves 2 post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
factory156 Posted August 11 Report Share Posted August 11 Originally posted by a-tip:b2b loves 2 postright??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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