Herman+A+Final+Report+Proposal

Herman A

TO: Proximity Music Teams FROM: Andrea Herman DATE: April 11, 2010 SUBJECT: Report Proposal on LimeWire and illegal downloading

There is no end in sight for the availability of music to be downloaded for free, most of the time illegally from the Internet. In fact, illegally downloading music seems to be increasing in popularity as people are becoming less intimidated by legal implications and more artists are starting to embrace sharing instead of fighting it. Gen Y has basically grown up with the Internet and over time grown accustomed to not paying for music, so peer to peer file sharing networks are here to stay.


 * Needs Statement**

According to the results from our focus group reports, LimeWire was the most popular software to download music from. Therefore, it is important for Proximity clients to keep up to date on LimeWire’s activities as it has a significant tie to Gen Y. In the past, LimeWire made a move to go partially legit and created the LimeWire Store. Recently LimeWire has created a “LimeWire Music Blog” and also partnered with AVG to bring users better virus protection. All of these events have shaped LimeWire into it’s current state.


 * Report Contents**

Topics to be covered by the report are:


 * LimeWire history
 * LimeWire’s music blog and advertising
 * Partnership with AVG to fight against malware
 * Analysis of the future for LimeWire


 * Sources**

LimeWire Official Website. [] Absolutely necessary source that contains product descriptions on the few types of software that is available for download, LimeWire background, company information, and press releases. Through this link you can also access the LimeWire Music Blog and Music Store.

Network World Staff. (2010, February 23). FTC P2P data leak alarm could give law-makers big stick. BusinessWeek. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from [] Article accounts how recently the FTC sent about 100 companies letters explaining that sensitive data had been leaked from their computers through peer-to-peer file sharing networks. The agency is concerned about this because they foresee P2P growing exponentially in the next few years. Gives an overview of some of the top P2P software and new emerging software.

Rosenblatt, Seth. (2010, March 10). LimeWire Enlists AVG for User Protection. Cnet. Retrieved April 9, 2010 from [] Short blog that briefly describes how LimeWire has been considered a threat to users in the past, but now after partnering with AVG will provide better security for users in the future.

Seltzer, Larry. (2010, March 10). LimeWire P2P Network Adds Anti-Malware Protection. PCMAG.com. Retrieved April 10, 2010 from [] Contains some good facts about LimeWire and how it has been a source of Malware. Article also provides a more in depth look at how the anti-malware actually works for LimeWire users than any of the other sources I am using so far.

Bonobo Pty Limited. The Past, Present and Future of Downloading Music on the Internet. [] Describes the origin of peer-to-peer file sharing, and how it has progressed through the years. Topics include ethical legitimacy, the second wave of file sharing programs and the threat of adware, and lastly legal music downloads in the future. Article notes that many governments still are trying to curb illegal downloading, France is on a “three strikes” program, but music artists are starting to take matters into their own hands. Nine Inch Nails being one of these artists, have released their past two albums over the internet, but ask for a sort of $5 donation.