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An interview with Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) chairman and chief executive Mitch Glazier is presented. Topics discussed include history and future of the RIAA, platinum anniversary in 2022, and its biggest accomplishment its establishment in 1952. Also mentioned are RIAA's lawsuit against technology companies Napster and Grokster, trends in audio streaming, and the Strengthening Measures to Advance Rights Technologies (SMART) Copyright Act.

The article discusses problems and security risks associated with peer-to-peer (P2P) network applications. A P2P network is a type of network in which several users are able to share files directly with one another. P2P applications, such as Kazaa and eDonkey, are generally free softwares that promote easy searching, downloading, and file sharing. The problem with programs is that these programs are supposed to be spywares and adwares and if a user attempts to manually remove these unwanted applications, they do not function properly anymore. Another risk that has been noted with these adwares, spywares, and P2P networks is rogue or malicious software installations. It is reported that in a recent test of P2P executables, a large quantity of executable files was downloaded from a P2P network. And when these files were scanned with anti-virus software to determine whether they were malicious, more than 60 percent of them contained some sort of malicious code.

The article presents news briefs from the music recording industry. EMI Music Publishing U.K. has launched a new producer management division. MTV Networks has handed out pink slips to several senior level executives as part of its move to cut 250 jobs. Researchers from Harvard University and the University of Kansas claim pirate peer-to-peer filesharing networks have little effect on music industry sales.

The article discusses the conversion of iMesh from a pirate peer-to-peer (P2P) network to a legal commercial service. In October 2006, iMesh became the first P2P network to attempt a conversion from piracy to commercial service. The fresh start for iMesh came in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Grokster four months earlier, and it was supposed to usher in an era of so-called legal P2P. INSET: iMESS: A LEGAL P2P FACES UPHILL BATTLES.

This article focuses on the problem of illegal downloading of copyrighted materials through peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks in the U.S. One of the most significant decisions to impact copyright law and the information industry is for the court case MGM versus Grokster. The Grokster case is the latest effort by major media copyright holders to address the problem of illegal downloading. Earlier lawsuits had shut down the original Napster file-sharing network in 2002. Napster was vulnerable because its centralized servers facilitated illegal downloading. The true P2P structure of Grokster and Kazaa eliminated the centralized server so that these companies never actively participated in the file-transfer process. Copyright holders in the music, movie and software industries pursued several avenues of attack. The most positive response has been the success of legal downloading mechanisms such as the popular Apple iTunes and the reconstituted Napster.

The article looks at how policy decisions may affect the future of information and technology in the U.S. Both the courts and the U.S. Congress are currently debating copyright issues. Among them are decisions about the future of peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies, the ability to use copyrighted works whose owners cannot be found, and the extent to which Congress can govern the use of information outside the copyright law. The legal case garnering the greatest attention is MGM v. Grokster, which is awaiting decision by the U.S. Supreme Court after oral arguments were heard on March 29, 2005. The issue is whether P2P companies, such as Grokster, are liable for contributing to the undisputed infringements by users of their file-swapping software. All parties view Grokster as a watershed case and hope the court will clarify its 1984 Sony decision. Speaking of Congress, there is renewed interest in orphan works, a class of copyrighted materials that others want to use, but whose owners cannot be located. This is an issue with a long history. It first began simmering with the adoption of the life-plus-50-years copyright term under the 1976 Copyright Act and then became hotter during debate on the Berne Convention Implementation Act of 1988, which altered registration requirements for copyright owners.

Reports that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that makers of peer-to-peer file-sharing software can be held accountable for the infringement of users. Report that a file-share software maker who shows explicit intent to induce infringement can be held liable; Claim of the entertainment industry that digital piracy is hurting its business; Opinion that the decision preserved the ability of innovators to develop new products without fear that they will be held liable for unintended infringement.

The article focuses on the British court case EMI Records Ltd.; Infectious Ltd.; Liberation Music Pty. Ltd., Polydor Ltd.; Simco Ltd.; Sony Music Entertainment UK Ltd.; Universal Music Operations Ltd.; Virgin Record Ltd.; Warner Music UK LTd.; Wainternational Inc. v. British Sky Broadcasting Ltd.; British Telecommunications PLC; Everything Everywhere Ltd.; TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC; Telefonica UK Ltd.; Virgin Media Ltd.; Virgin Media Ltd., which dealt with the blocking of peer-to-peer file sharing websites by Internet service providers (ISPs).

This article focuses on the proposed Informed P2P User Act being debated by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. The legislation seeks to address the unintended consequences of file sharing networks. Congressional attention was drawn into the issue of peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks after serious issues of privacy and national security concerns were discovered. Lime Wire LLC is expected among those which will be impacted by the legislation.

The article reports that the technology that enabled legions of digital pirates to illegally swap billions of songs, television shows and movies is ready to go legitimate. Peer-to-peer technology, which connects users' computers and lets them share files without a central server, is beginning to be embraced by media companies including Starz as an efficient way of delivering programs over the Web. Peer-to-peer technology could save distributors 25 percent to 35 percent on bandwidth costs.

Reports on the possibility that the U.S. Supreme Court to issue a Grokster ruling that may impact the music industry. Legal issues surrounding digital music distribution platforms such as subscription services and round of peer-to-peer sites that honor copyright holders' wishes; Creation of legal environments that protect against spoofing and against viruses; Viability of Web sites offering file sharing.

Reports on a lawsuit filed by record labels against technology companies over unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, in April 2005. Liability of parties affiliated with a bundle of software known as Kazaa Media Desktop to major labels and record companies; Occurrence of the infringement in the U.S.; Speculation of record companies on the aims of the business.

This article presents the author's opinion on a 2005 U.S. Supreme Court case involving the recording industry and peer-to-peer (P2P) technology vendors. Many of us in information technology (IT) at least partly wish the Supreme Court would put an end to P2P, which sucks up network bandwidth and is nearly impossible to control in centralized, corporate environments. But though P2P can be annoying, most of us also understand there is a large issue at stake: innovation. True, many users take advantage of those technologies to share copies of copyrighted files--including music and movies--for which they should have paid. But there also are many legal uses for file-swapping tools, including the sharing of user-created data, and the vendors who make the tools should not be held liable for their users' illegal activities. The videocassette recorder turned out to be one of the best friends the movie industry ever had. The same will be true of P2P technology, if the Supreme Court upholds its legality and the recording industry stops resisting and starts making it easier to buy and download files legally. As most IT managers already know, P2P may be a pain, but it is here to stay--and the people who develop it should be praised, not punished.

This article discusses the issue of fair use during the summit on Intellectual Property and Creativity in Washington in March 2005. Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of Consumer Electronics Association, called on attendees of the event from differing industries to begin to collaborate competitive in order to allow innovation on top of existing content and to end the on-going propaganda war. Moreover, the event served as a rallying call for pro fair-use recording rights activists. Shapiro started the event by challenging the definition of the term intellectual property saying that is it is not real property with well-established legal rights that are clearly defined. In making a distinction between the downloading threat the industry currently face, Mitch Bainwol, chairman of the Recording Industries Association of America (RIAA), said his industry can document actual harm inflicted by illegal use of peer-to-peer file sharing. Other speakers during the event questioned the legitimacy of the claim of RIAA regarding the actual harm from peer-to-peer file sharing.

This article reports on the case between Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM) and Grokster filed in the U.S. Supreme Court in April 2005 to argue over federal copyright laws of peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing software. The debate is whether developers of P2P file-sharing software should be held liable when their users share music and video over the Internet. After the court hearing, Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), said that he was optimistic that the justices will uphold the standards set by the court in the landmark Betamax decision. During oral arguments in the case, the entertainment industries argued that the primary intent of software offered by Grokster, Stream-Cast Networks and other P2P software developers is to let consumers infringe copyrights. However, Grokster lawyer Richard Taranto argued his company had no way to discern legal from illegal downloads and simply gave customers a way to share files. On the other hand, some justices took exception with some of the arguments of Grokster. The justices also questioned why the music industry has not placed other threatening technologies.

Reports on a copyright case to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 29, 2005, which involves the entertainment industry and companies that provide peer-to-peer file-sharing software. Industries to be affected by the court's ruling; Legal points raised in the briefs filed by the petitioners; Number of individuals and companies that have submitted amicus briefs with the court.

Reports on the copyright infringement lawsuits initiated by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and its various national groups against file sharers in Great Britain, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Italy and France, as of March 2005. Fines paid by British defendants; Petition signed politicians and musicians in France calling an end to litigation and national debate on file sharing; Variation in legal procedures from country to country.

The article offers tips to benefit from Twitter Audience Platform. These tips include incorporating visual content, uploading photos in proper size and knowing the difference between replies and mentions. Also discussed is the study conducted by HubSpot which shows that tweets with statistics may get 5.4% more retweets compared to those without, they may also have 32% lower click through rate than tweets with other content.

The article reports on a system developed by car sharing company GoGet to allow one-way car hire and its trial of the service, called Oneway, at airports in a bid to attract business customers. Topics discussed are the significance of developing the technology in-house to innovation in the Australian market, the emerging models of car sharing such as peer-to-peer sharing network, the benefit of car sharing models for residents, and the commercial return for ratepayers.

An interview with Ray Wang, founder and principal analyst of market research firm Constellation Research, is presented. Topics include his book "Disrupting Digital Business: Create an Authentic Experience in the Peer-to-Peer Economy," his views on the effect of technological innovations in the disruption of digital business models, the emerging trends of peer-to-peer economy, and the key advantages of big data analytics as a key foundation of digital business.

The article discusses three simple tests that can be used to determine if the content of a company is becoming a commodity. Topics covered include the human test which uses human signature or face on a corporate content, the community test wherein content created by a community is shared by everyone, and the party test wherein a company news item is shared and used as a topic of conversation at a party. It also discusses why companies dealing in commodities always get the ax.

The article focuses on the British court case EMI Records Ltd. & et al. v. British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. & et al., which dealt with the use of injunctions to prevent peer-to-peer file sharing on the Internet. Topics include the authority of Internet service providers (ISPs) to block websites from consumers and the prevention of piracy.

The article reports on a U.S. federal court ruling against the peer-to-peer network LimeWire, which found that it had violated copyright law by enabling music file sharing. It is noted that such rulings cannot eliminate internet piracy, but they are likely to deter entrepreneurs from attempting to establish online firms with a business plan based on flouting copyright law.

The article reports on the resolution of a legal case which was concerned with peer-to-peer file sharing of music and in which the peer-to-peer file sharing company LimeWire and its founder/chairman, Mark Gorton were found liable for copyright infringement. A discussion of the impact that the judgment in the case will have on the recording industry and on consumers who have become accustomed to peer-to-peer file sharing is presented.

The article reports on sensitive personal data leaks from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks. Almost 100 organizations, including local governments, have reportedly been notified. The leaks, seen as likely accidental, could put hundreds of people at risk for identity theft and fraud. The uses of P2P technology are given including making online telephone calls and sharing music and videos. The danger lies, the author says, in the improper configuration of file-sharing software such as WinMX and Overnet.

The article presents information on a Canadian court case involving internet music piracy. The British Columbia Court of Appeal is to rule on an appeal by isoHunt, a BitTorrent site, regarding isoHunt's petition to be designated as a legal operation. Founded by Gary Fung, isoHunt is an index of file sharing sites.

The article reports on the result of a copyright violation case in which the defendant, Jammie Thomas-Rasset, was found liable for $1.92 million in damages for sharing 24 songs over the internet on the Kazaa peer-to-peer network. Although hailed as a victory by the Recording Industry Association of America, the question is raised whether the fine is so high that it will generate negative publicity for the music industry.

An interview with attorney Jo Oliver is presented. Oliver discusses her work on the court case which prosecuted the people who ran Internet music piracy company Pirate Bay. Details are provided about the prevalence of peer-to-peer file sharing on the Internet. Oliver also compares the Pirate Bay case to the cases brought against Internet music sites Napster and Kazaa.

The article discusses the potential impact of the verdict in the Swedish case against the founders of the torrent-indexing Web site, "The Pirate Bay." The sentencing of the defendants to prison time is mentioned, noting that the case could potentially set a precedent in Sweden and in all other national courts in the European Union against Web sites allowing users to search for illegal Internet content.

The article reports that a man convicted of operating an illegal file-sharing Web site was sentenced to six months in jail by a Spanish court. This peer-to-peer lawsuit was the first in Spain to result in a conviction due to the ability of the prosecutor to prove a profit motive. The man had generated advertising revenue on his Web site.

The article discusses the closing of digital music services geared to offering college students a low-cost alternative to peer-to-peer file sharing networks. Particular attention is paid to the abrupt closing of Ruckus, an ad supported music download service that was acquired by Total Music in 2008. Total Music is a failed joint venture between Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. The fate of Choruss,a similar digital service, is weighted. INSET: BLUETOOTH TUNES.

The article reports on a law in New Zealand making it the first country to require internet service providers (ISP) to cooperate in reducing music piracy on peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks. Under the law, ISPs must terminate the accounts of users who are warned three times about copyright infringement activities.

The author discusses the concept of voluntary collective licensing for music, also known as internet service provider licensing or blanket music licensing. This idea has been promoted by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and like-minded organizations as a way to legalize music file sharing on unauthorized peer-to-peer networks while compensating artists and rights holders. The author argues that such schemes have too many flaws to function as effective solutions.

The article reports that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sent 401 prelitigation settlement letters on behalf of its member companies to 12 universities on February 21, 2008. The RIAA has filed 30,000 file-sharing copyright infringement lawsuits. According to Cara Duckworth, RIAA director of communications, the RIAA's work to halt online music theft has had an impact on the growth of illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) services. The article discusses the goals of the RIAA and its lawsuit against file-sharing service Napster.

The article reports digital media-related news briefs. The social networking web site Bebo has launched a section of its site dedicated to dance. Peer-to-peer Internet traffic is expected to grow between 2008 and 2013, with the greatest source of growth coming from legal downloads. A beta version of software from Didiom LLC that allows mobile phone users to stream the contents of their Apple iTunes music libraries to their phones has been introduced.

The article focuses on the issue of pirated textbooks and the efforts of the American Association of Publishers (AAP) to address the problem. The author describes how the AAP's approach differs from that of other organizations like the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). Edward McCoyd, director of digital policy at AAP, notes that efforts to address the problem are spreading to individual publishers.

The article discusses the steps being taken by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to combat peer-to-peer music sharing on the internet. Details about the tactics used in the past by the RIAA to combat illegal music downloading are provided. Comments from NPD Group analyst Russ Crupnick regarding the steps taken by the RIAA are also included. INSET: STATION TO STATION.

The article reports that the Quebec Superior Court has issued an injunction ordering the shutdown of QuebecTorrent.com, a file-sharing service which is said to have had upwards of 50,000 regular users. The lawsuit was led by the Association Québécoise de L'industrie du Disque, du Spectacle et de la Video, an organization which represents the music industry in Quebec.

The article discusses statistics and offers insights on financial information security in the U.S. According to a survey by Sharp Electronics Corp., nearly 50% of the U.S. is not aware of the possible perils of using public copiers and printers that can leave them vulnerable for data theft. Identity Finder Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Todd Feinman notes that one of the easiest ways for a computer breach to take place is by peer-to-peer sharing (P2P) or file sharing on a network. According to Mary Engle of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the agency is concerned that consumers may accidentally share folders that contain private documents that they do not intend to share.

The article offers information on various peer-to-peer (P2P) applications that uses BiTorrent technology. BiTorrent is a technology that distributes video and other files by passing the data among millions of users who share their bandwidth. One of such application is Vuze, a type of BiTorrent which provides an open entertainment platform from which users can download, stream and upload files. Another one is the Open Television Network which attempts to set up a digital media distribution site.

The article focuses on the significance of the decision of a jury in Duluth, Minnesota to hod Brainerd resident Jammie Thomas liable for $222,000 in damages for making files available for download on a peer-to-peer file-sharing network to Denver, Colorado-based Holme Roberts & Owen. Partner Richard Gabriel states that the case shows that there is a real risk to people who infringe. There is an increase in the number of small firms and solo practitioners that defend people who said they were wrongly accused.

The article focuses on the problem with the file-sharing services of Hulu, a user interface of NBC/News Corp. It says that Hulu and other network Web sites are competing with peer-to-peer services. It cites the complaint of users of the torrent search engine because of the long hours required to download a television program and the constant shifting of content availability. The author explains the implications of the decision of networks to be protective of its contents.

The article reports that Italy's fiscal police Guardia di Finanza have imposed million-dollar fines on seven music uploaders involved in a nationwide illegal peer-to-peer file-sharing network called Discotequezone. All seven also face criminal trials which, under Italy's appeals procedures, could take up to four years to reach a sentence.

The author reflects on the peer-to-peer (P2P) technology issues in the U.S. She notes that there are some concerns about the dots per inch (DPI) devices, despite its ability to allow service providers to see exactly how customers use Internet access services by both identifying the P2P traffic and limiting its ability to consume network resources to the damage of other traffic. She claims that DPI is a part of the industry's future, as it provides security to customers and service providers.

The article offers an editorial on the topic of peer-to-peer music sharing on the internet. The author suggests that file sharing sites conduct a study on the downloading habits of their users. The author suggests ways to monetize file sharing so it is beneficial to record companies. The author attempts to envision a legal peer-to-peer file sharing model.

The article offers information on a survey by the NPD Group, which reveals that legal music downloads are gaining in popularity, yet they were outnumbered by their illegal counterparts by a 10:1 margin in 2006. NPD found that the number of households downloading legally almost caught up to the numbers of homes that download illegally via peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks. However, the number of songs downloaded legally grew to only 500 million in 2006, compared with the 5 billion songs downloaded via a P2P network.

This article discusses internet peer-to-peer media downloading. The article notes that the music industry has long been fearful of the popularity of peer-to-peer technology, due to the fact that it allowed for illegal downloading of copyrighted music. However, two legal peer-to-peer services have emerged in February of 2007, including BitTorrent and Joost.

The article presents an interview with BitTorrent co-founder Ashwin Navin. He talks about the broader applications of peer-to-peer (P-to-P), and the problems that companies now have that BitTorrent could solve. He details how his company have avoided lawsuits arising from P-to-P. He comments about the fulcrum between sharing content and preventing free-form piracy.

The article offers news briefs on portable digital devices as of July 2006. An NDP Group survey revealed that ten percent of Internet-enabled households downloaded at least one music file from a peer-to-peer file-sharing service in April. Thomson is shipping a trio of slimmed-down HDD-based MP3 players included the company's first two with built-in FM transmitter to play tunes through a home or car radio. Arches has begun shipping its smaller HDD MP3 player, the 4GB Arches 104.

The article reports on the launch of an authorized rental downloads of select movies and TV programs from 20th Century Fox, NBC Universal and Warner Bros by authorized P2P file-sharing service provider Peer Impact. TV shows are available as low as 90 cents, and current and library titles from $2.99 to $3.99, all for 24-hour viewing periods. The movie files are encoded at a 1.6Mbps data rate, exceeding the capabilities of current Microsoft-based Portable Media Centers supporting 800Kbps maximum decode rates.