Kokopelli Networks thinks it has the solution to file-sharing copyrighted content, but it is still far from clear whether P2P networks will sign up, and whether users are willing to pay the price. An application designed to help legitimise content on existing P2P applications such as Kazaa and BearShare is due to launch later this year.
Kokopelli Networks says it plans to launch BluFilter Authorize in December -- around the same time that Napster is scheduled to return. BluFilter is a security and copyright tool that plugs into existing P2P applications and allows artists and record companies to set prices for music downloads. Although similar services already exist -- such as Altnet, which is used by Kazaa -- BluFilter will be supplied free to P2P companies. The software could also be made to scan any file and distinguish between studio or live versions of a song, test the track's recording quality and charge the downloader an appropriate amount, according to Kokopelli.
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