P2P Technology and Its Legal and Policy Implications

Roger Clarke **

Abstract of 21 July 2005

Prepared for a presentation at the Baker & McKenzie Cyberspace Law and Policy Centre, UNSW, Sydney, on 27 July 2005

© Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd, 2005

This document is at http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/II/P2P-LegPol-0507.html

The slide-set is at http://www.anu.edu.au/people/Roger.Clarke/II/P2P-LegPol-0507.ppt

Abstract

Conventional client-server architecture has a number of technical deficiencies. In the new context of vast numbers of widely-dispersed, powerful and well-connected devices, an alternative architecture has emerged, which overcomes many of the weaknesses of client-server.Although it has many potential applications, peer-to-peer architecture has been much-used as a means of reticulating audio and video files, with much of the copying being in breach of the ever-increasing basket of rights that make up copyright.This presentation focusses primarily on P2P architecture, its features, and its applications. It also identifies issues arising from its use, particularly those that have enraged large corporations whose revenues and profits are dependent on their control over copyright materials.The presentation draws on the following papers:

• Peer-to-Peer (P2P) - An Overview (November 2004)
• Towards a P2P Research Agenda (April 2005)

Author Affiliations

Roger Clarke is Principal of Xamax Consultancy Pty Ltd, Canberra. He is also a Visiting Professor in the E-Commerce Programme at the University of Hong Kong, a Visiting Professor in the Baker & McKenzie Cyberspace Law & Policy Centre at the University of N.S.W., and a Visiting Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the Australian National University.

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Created: 6 July 2005 - Last Amended: 21 July 2005 by Roger Clarke - Site Last Verified: 15 February 2005
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