Has P2P Become a Passing Fad?

plasticmillion asks: "As the RIAA launches increasingly rabid attacks against P2P networks and users, pundits continue to debate the future of P2P. On the one hand, some argue that P2P is just a clever way to escape detection from copyright owners, like in this recent Slashdot story. Others, like Clay Shirky, make a strong case that processing is destined to move to the 'edges' of the network. I'm curious to know what Slashdot readers think: is P2P the start of a major new trend that is just getting started, or is it a passing fad that will fade once legal client/server systems for media distribution finally take hold? If the former, which of the supposed advantages of P2P over client/server systems are really significant?"

Comments

p2p is lame to begin with

[wmaker]

p2p is lame to begin with because the files were mp3(a data loss format). How often could you find a song you wanted in .shn (shorten files no loss). Plus, p2p is always the LAST place anything ever is. You can find the mp3's to a new cd you want on an ftp somewhere before you'll find it on kazaa or the gnutella networks.

I hope so.

[zlevenz]

Until now, I've been extremely hesitant to submit a comment to Slashdot. Now, however, my entire lifestyle appears to be in jeapordy. You see, my wife and I have been employed by a record label for the past decade. Last week, she was terminated. The reason, as her manager explained, was illegal music piracy.

The advertising campaigns are true. The executives, instead of being inconvenienced by accommodating P2P, are attempting to eliminate it. Furthermore, employees such as myself are expendable, and that axiom is certainly manifesting itself today.

Music piracy is analogous to marijuana: both are gateways. Whereas marijuana is a gateway to other illegal narcotics, music piracy is a gateway to movie piracy and, another form of illegal distribution that may begin to affect the Slashdot community, software piracy.

Until now, I haven't complained. With a $250,000 mortgage and a lack of income, however, I am certainly becoming less tolerant. No man should ever be forced to see his wife in tears.

The many faces of Satan...

[i_r_sensitive]

I think I can put a new spin on the whole RIAA mess:

Let:

Software developers == Song Writers

Open Source Movement == Kazaa Et. Al.

SCO == RIAA

Now write the appropriate gawk program and apply to your favorite SCO press release...

Humour aside, the situations aren't that different. SCO much like RIAA is a third party when we really look at the genesis of either set of property. However, there are still differences in this comparison. Open Source Software as a movement has little in common with Kazaa Et. Al. OSS is a body of people who are motivated by the same ideals, subscribe to a similar philosophy on pivotal issues to the community. That is, it is a community. Kazaa Et. Al. have no such link to the artists who create the medium of exchange. They cannot purport to serve the best interests of these individuals, since this community exists independently of the wishes of those artists. OSS exists because of the wishes of the artists whose work OSS protects.

So, to the Open Source PSP Software Developers: Why are you facilitating the abrogation of the rights of other artists? You would not view kindly the abrogation of your rights, are not other artists entitled to the same consideration you expect as an artist?

I'll leave the Closed Source companies out of it, they are inherently evil anyways, nor would they likely be able to understand, let alone identify with the core issues anyways. Let them be the sacrifical lambs to RIAA's maw. A more poetic fate I cannot devise. But, back to you Open Source folk, I can't believe y'all can't find a solution to this issue. Now is the time, while this issue is in the courts.

If there is a better way to show the merits of OSS than showing the same respect to the creations of others that you expect yourselves, and enforcing it in code!

Which, in the end is the most elegant solution isn't it. Those who can modify it, do so at their own risk, which given the foul mood RIAA is in... Those who can't, by far the majority, have to live with the "normal" functionality, which by the way, keeps them from violating copyrights...