The DCIA Acts to Protect P2P Software Users and Children Online
The Distributed Computing Industry Association (www.dcia.info) today announced a successful project completion and the introduction of a new consumer resource at the quarterly working session of P2P PATROL (Peer-to-Peer Parents And Teens React On Line) held at the headquarters of DCIA Member SVC Financial Services.
San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) May 3, 2005 -- The Distributed Computing Industry Association (www.dcia.info) today announced a successful project completion and the introduction of a new consumer resource at the quarterly working session of P2P PATROL (Peer-to-Peer Parents And Teens React On Line) held at the headquarters of DCIA Member SVC Financial Services.
The DCIA completed phase one of its consumer disclosures project and launched the online CPHotline.org (Child Protection Hotline) to help peer-to-peer (P2P) software users recognize, remove, and report undesirable material encountered online.
DCIAs best practices leader Elaine Reiss and the Consumer Disclosures Working Group have done a tremendous job in coordinating an initial implementation of clear and understandable P2P usage guidelines, and ASACPs Joan Irvine and P2P PATROL have provided an unparalleled industry service with their development of an automated data-processing resource for consumer reporting," said DCIA CEO Marty Lafferty in making the announcement.
The Consumer Disclosure Working Groups phase one features a prominently displayed message-box on the home-pages of websites for Grokster, iPeer, Kazaa, MyPeer, and TrustyFiles, that reads, Click Here for Important Information about Using P2P Software Safely."
All DCIA Members that distribute peer-to-peer (P2P) software now comply with this first of three phases in the consumer disclosures project.
Users who respond are linked to customized P2P Software User Advisories pages similar to this example provided by industry-leading Kazaa Media Desktop from DCIA Member Sharman Networks (http://www.kazaa.com/us/p2padvisory.htm), which provides information regarding five items identified by lawmakers as potential risk areas for consumers.
The page also encourages users to, Read the important Consumer Alert concerning P2P software from the US Federal Trade Commission" and provides links to the FTCs online material. An example of the kind of advisory found on this page is as follows:
Copyright Infringement Liability - P2P technology makes it possible to share all kinds of information. Some information is protected by copyright, which means that you generally need the copyright owner's permission before you make it available to other P2P users. Popular music, movies, games, and software are often protected by copyright.
Copyright infringement can result in significant monetary damages, fines, and even criminal penalties. Some copyright owners have filed civil lawsuits against individuals that they believe unlawfully distributed large numbers of copyrighted songs.
Click here for information about how to use this P2P software application to minimize or avoid copyright infringement."
The Consumer Disclosures Working Group is now implementing phase two, which includes further improvements in communications regarding copyrighted works, such as a notification with premium and advertising-free versions of P2P software that Purchase of this software is not a license to upload or download copyrighted material."
Phase three will involve input from the United States Congress and offer a comprehensive regime that regularly and conspicuously reminds P2P software users that their software is active, addresses issues regarding end user license agreements (EULAs), adds elements from the originally proposed P2P Software Risks, and makes additional enhancements.
Separately, the DCIA has entered into a service agreement with the Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (www.asacp.org) to provide an online child protection hotline for the DCIA-sponsored P2P PATROL (Peer-to-Peer Parents And Teens React On Line) initiative (www.P2Ppatrol.com).
ASACP knows that there are more distribution methods for illegal images on the Internet than just websites," said Joan Irvine, executive director, ASACP. We felt it was important to help other associations and industries combat child pornography by sharing our recently developed technology platforms. This saved the DCIA years of development and provided an immediate method for P2P customers to report suspected child pornography."
Brandon Shalton, President of Cydata Services, and Marc Freedman, CEO of DCIA Member RazorPop, collaborated on this project.
The P2P PATROL initiative, which represents a voluntary collaboration of technology and related service companies along with government agencies and trade groups, offers programs focusing on education, deterrence, and enforcement for combating online child pornography, and operates the P2P PATROL website.
ASACP has provided a child pornography reporting hotline for websites since 1996 and sends validated reports to law enforcement agencies. In addition to working with the DCIA, it is offering the complimentary use of its technology platform to states Attorney Generals.
ASACP also provides a self-regulatory vehicle for its members through a Code of Ethics that promotes the protection of children through responsible, professional business practices (http://www.asacp.org/bestpractices.html).
About the Distributed Computing Industry Association (DCIA)
The DCIA is a non-profit trade organization whose mission includes advancing the commercial development of P2P. DCIA's Members include Alston & Bird, Altnet, Bennett Lincoff, BlueMaze Entertainment, City Canyons Records, Claria Corporation, Clickshare Service, Digital Containers, Digital Static, Good Witch Records, Go-Kart Records, Grokster, Indie911, INTENT MediaWorks, Javien, Jeftel, Jillian Ann, Jun Group, KlikVU, MasurLaw, MusicDish Network, One Love Channel, P2P Cash, Predixis, Project V-G, Rap Station, RazorPop, Relatable, Scooter Scudieri, Seamless P2P, Shared Media Licensing, Sharman Networks, Skype, SMARTguard Software, Sovereign Artists, SVC Financial, Trymedia Systems, and Vmedia Research. For more information, please call 888-864-DCIA or visit http://www.dcia.info.
Media Contacts:
DCIA
Kelly Larabee
602-258-1416
kelly@dcia.info
ASACP
Joan Irvine
323-965-1400
joan@asacp.org
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See the original story at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/05/prweb234743.htm
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