Korea stops sharing

Filed in archive Innovation , International on June 21, 2006

The article "Korea stops music file-sharing" makes for a sensational headline. But it doesn't apply to the rest of the world where P2P is decentralized. Downloads can't be blocked by the developer and can't be charged for (aside from DRM files).

Still, the idea of licensing open P2P networks makes strong economic sense, though RIAA and IFPI refuse to consider it. Perhaps Korea can be model for the rest of the world.

Here is the full article:

"Korean file sharing services have banded together and agreed to block p2p downloading of music files.

From last Friday a majority of p2p services said that they would intercept files, in a country where the value of CD sales has fallen by 70 per cent in five years.

'We held an urgent meeting last week, and eight of 11 member companies agreed to block MP3 files until we find ways to charge users,' said spokesman Jun Hyun-sung.

Koreans had paid around 50 won, less than 3p, to download an entire album, with none of the money passing to copyright holders.

The Korean Association of Phonogram Producers (KAPP), which represents the music industry, had threatened legal action unless the p2p companies took action by 12 June, today."