Spoofing P2P Networks as Marketing Plot

prostoalex writes "Salon's technology section talks about major music labels spoofing the peer-to-peer networks. The users of AudioGalaxy, Gnutella or KaZaa have probably seen a surge of fake MP3 files when conducting a search on a popular title. The MP3 looks legit, but contains a 20 second clip played over and over. Such promotional tracks were especially popular with newest releases, such as Eminem and No Doubt, as pointed out in the article. Who posted the fake tracks to the p2p networks? Could it be, as Salon suggests, a suburban mom, who does not agree with controversial lyrics, or would it be the label, trying to prevent piracy and promote the new album at the same time?"

Comments

Interesting...

[tm2b]

If you make the analogy between file sharing and free speech, I guess this would be the labels taking the "more speech is the best solution to bad speech" tact.

I'd much rather see this than action through the courts.

Slashdot-like Moderated P2P networks?

[dada21]

I think this is a fine idea by the record labels, if they want to do it, go ahead.

I would REALLY love the ability to moderate people though. I've downloaded my share of BAD quality stuff, and sometimes from the same user, so it would be nice to moderate someone out to nothing-ness status, as well as say "Only download from high moderation point users first" etc.

Freenet's solution to this problem

[Sanity]

We have been thinking about this problem for some time. Our solution is a mechanism called "subspaces", where users can effectively vouch for the authenticity of data, even though that data might be anonymously inserted into the network. Even those vouching for data can remain anonymous, they will be motivated to stay honest to maintain the reputation of their anonymous identity. You can learn more about subspaces here.

Re:The real question is...

[zangdesign]

Well, if you think about it, all the record company has to do is put P2Pster on a computer somewhere and load up the spoofs. Alternate the usernames (if required) once in a while, maybe add some new content periodically.

They show up in the search just like some college student in Peoria.

You know, I think I've just hit on a money-making business: Hosting spoof songs for the record company. For, say, $500 a month plus bandwidth, I will host any and all spoofs the record companies want!

Whaddaya think?

Re:Not quite eminently solvable

[tftp]

Here you would have to store every moderation as a link connecting node A to node B and somehow perform a distributed computation in order to isolate the self-referring parts of the network.

That's how PGP's Web of Trust works. It is fully applicable here. A hierarchy of trusted signers would vouch for the authenticity; each signer can be anonymous, and signer's trust can be added or revoked. All you need to add is the ability to download the signature separately (or before) the song.

What a way to get a tax write-off

[jabber]

Just think, the cost incurred by the RIAA in hosting all that crap music. The number of systems needed to saturate the P2P systems, the storage of the files, the bandwidth needed to make their nodes get hit more often than ones with 'valid' content, the cost of making the files, the administration of the project..

All of that costs money. And what does that result in?

RIAA: "Due to the cost of combating digital piracy, profits are down again, Mr. Senator. Frankly, we'd rather that money went to a more worthy cause. *wink* *wink* Won't you help us out?"