Protection for file-shared content : Calgary start-up promises security, speed and low cost with new file-sharing platform

Digital Artisans Guild Inc (DAG) has teamed up with another Calgary company to bring teen wrestling to the Internet, using a new network technology that protects content rights. Myfileshare.com, a small R&D start-up with seven employees, says its proprietary PeerGenius software succeeds where companies like Napster have failed by creating a peer-to-peer experience where file sharing can be controlled by the content owner. The first ‘program’ to air on the PeerGenius platform is Matrats, a self-described "high-energy wresting and music show targeting teens and young adults". "Once DAG takes an episode off (the web site), users who have downloaded it can no longer share it on a PeerGenius network because the content owner decides whether or not it gets shared on the network," explains Thomas Kenworthy, president and CEO of Myfileshare. He adds that his company’s "copyright-friendly" distribution platform was developed in response to Napster and its legal problems. Myfileshare.com Advisory BoardTom Chernaik, co-founder, All Indie, New York City George Curnew, corporate VP/executive director emerging technology, Axia Netmedia, Calgary Derick Small, founder/president, Nulli Secundus Inc, Calgary Shawn Yeager, VP strategic development, Venture Fund/Incubator, Los Angeles Brian Zisk, founder/technologies director, Future of Music Coalition, San FranciscoOpposite of Napster "We wanted to architect a solution that would do the opposite of what (Napster) had done and that is to protect the rights of copyright holders from day one," he told Canadian NEW MEDIA. "We looked at technologies that would or would not be feasible for uniquely identifying content in cyberspace and then being able to manage that content." In short, he says the company is delivering digital content distribution management solutions. "What that means is that a content owner is able to dictate what of their content is allowed or not allowed on the PeerGenius network." Kenworthy acknowledges that his company’s patent-pending technology won’t stop users from downloading videos, or swapping them through another file sharing network. "We’re concerning ourselves with what happens within our network." In addition to its recent agreement with DAG, Myfileshare has also signed a deal with Throttlebox.com of New York City to initially post 500 of its 4,500 files on the PeerGenius network. Throttlebox has content alliances with several record companies, including Warner Bros, Atlantic and DreamWorks. "It will be a music video of an artist, pictures and text all in one – like an MP3 on steroids," says Kenworthy, adding that ideally he’d love to sign on giants like AOL Time-Warner, Paramount and Sony as clients. Video-on-demand deals with Blockbuster are also on Myfileshare’s wish list. The PeerGenius software includes an embedded digital file signature that guarantees content holders that their copyrighted material will not be traded without authorization or compensation. Another advantage to the software, says Kenworthy, is that it allows content to be downloaded from multiple sources, reducing bandwidth costs while increasing download speeds. Lower bandwidth costs "We’ve seen speeds as high as, if not higher, than 500 kilobits per second," he notes. "With that web linkage, we allow the content owner to continue to drive eyeballs to their site for merchandising purposes, and we eliminate or reduce their bandwidth costs because the users are hosting the file." Myfileshare is only now moving from the lab to the market. It received angel financing last year, and Kenworthy says they’re actively looking for next-stage financing. Last month, the company announced the creation of an advisory board with some heavy industry hitters, particularly from the U.S. (see box on page 7) Kenworthy says when you’re working in Canada, it’s important to have some champions south of the border. "I think it’s important to note that we’re in Calgary Alberta. We’re geographically handicapped to an extent." However, having the founder of Green Witch Radio (Brian Zisk) as an advisor makes for a good calling card, he adds. "Brian is one of the Internet stream media gods, and well connected," he notes. "He can walk us into many doors that we can’t even find the back door to."

Protection for file-shared content : Calgary start-up promises security, speed and low cost with new file-sharing platform

Broadcast | May 3, 2001

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