Blogs of Note

Ending Peer-to-peer pressure (An article from MIT's Technology Review.) From the makers of Kazza comes a way easing the burden on the internet brought on by peer-to-peer users -- solution? cache the peer-to-peer files locally at the ISPs so that local requests can be fulfilled locally instead of going around the world to get the file. The problem with this approach however, is that suddenly, the ISPs will know what is being shared -- suddenly the RIA can subpoena the data being held on the ISP's servers, find out what's being shared, and then since, there is evidence of illegal activity, request the names of everyone who requests the files -- which gets kind of complicated -- because if a user is making an illegal request -- doesn't the ISP, now delivering on that request, also be conducting illegal activities by fulfilling the request? Of course, if the RIA's member companies were smart, they'd just want to know what's shared so that they can know what the demand is so they can deliver it for pay via alternative channels. But that would be smart -- better to call out the lawyers.