P3P, the new Holy Grail of online content?
P3P is a protocol which permits websites to declare the use of information which they collect about the users who visit them, and is designed to give users more control about personal information when using the Internet. P3P was developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and therefore is not a new protocol for file-sharing, like P4P, but a group of procedures to make a profit from the exchanging of files.
There have been many attempts to prohibit the sharing of files, such as the "three warnings law" recently approved in France for the suspension of the right to copy for private use in Ireland. In some countries such as the United States, legal action has been taken and large fines have been received.
In Spain file-sharing is not illegal if it is not done for financial gain. The organisations which manage intellectual rights claim that they want to stop piracy, ensuring that downloads are not free and that artists receive payment for their work. Users on the other hand, are designing new systems for sharing content, with the intention of avoiding being manipulated or observed by companies or to escape from the control of governmental organisations.
The online content industry begins to smile on Peer to Peer
The members of the P3P Working Group have been the first to try to provide a viable and beneficial solution for businesses and users. Some of the members (among which is Telefónica) think that it is possible to find a profitable business model for companies which is reasonable for the clients and for this reason are proposing the payment of a tax for each broadband connection to legalise file sharing.
The Distributed Computing Industry Association (DCIA), made up of content providers, software developers and distributors, and service-and-support companies, believes that inevitably P2P will be accepted as a distribution method and that business models similar to that of the Isle of Man, which is proposing a new law that would allow its residents immunity from prosecution for illegal downloading of copyrighted material by paying a flat monthly fee which will added to the price of the broadband. In this way fees would be redistributed to copyright holders and the public would not have to “hide”. The BPI likes the idea.
Some loose ends
As Neoteo points ou (in Spanish) this new model raises some interesting issues.
One of the features that stands out is that the Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) will be able to authorise their customers to download and share music on the Internet using any system of online distribution, including P2P or direct downloads. It is also certain that the system has many questions that need solving. What will happen to people who do not use the Internet to download? Will they also have to pay the tax? And what about downloads of material without copyright? What if there are files which are not easily recognised and it’s sure not if they have copyright? How much money will be paid to artists and what will it be based upon? How much will the line tax be? What will happen with those European countries which begin to apply legal measures against P2P?
