Continuous P2P networks

In accordance with the settlement agreement with the recording industry, the file sharing service Grokster will stop providing software that allows users to copy unauthorized songs from November 7.

This agreement was reached four months after the US Court unanimously concluded that Grokster and other P2P networks are legally liable if they abide by users who violate copyright laws.

Due to decentralized features, most P2P software is difficult to control once it has been released to the Internet. However, the closure of " clue " sites, where users first download software, may limit the flow of new offenders.

On Grokster's website, the words are read: " There are many legitimate music and movie download services available on the market, but this service (Grokster) is not among them ."

Mashboxx LLC is expected to acquire Grokster and turn this P2P network into a legitimate digital music service that can compete with Apple's iTunes.

The recording industry believes that the duplication of online songs is rampant - thanks to the help of Grokster and other P2P networks - the main culprit in the failure of a five-year sales of CD sales. by. More than 7000 people have been sued in court for copying unauthorized songs from the Internet.

Two other popular P2P services, WinMX.com and eDonkey, were also closed last September, after receiving a warning letter from the RIAA.

Most recently, a Hong Kong man was sentenced to three months in prison for the first successful prosecution of unauthorized file sharing.

Hold Exam ( According to Reuters )