“A lot of Internet users want to share files without having to have their own Web server,'' he said.
Von Lohmann also said LionShare's closed networks and methods to control access could possibly make it easier to violate copyright infringements by allowing students to “create a neat, private sheltered place where people could shop music and movies to their heart's content.”
A Penn State news release about LionShare states several times that the technology is aimed at academic file sharing. People who allow data to be shared can place limits on who can view files.
“It all comes down to how people share content and what restrictions they put on the content that they share,'' Halm said.
Halm said LionShare was spearheaded by Penn State researchers and developed with Internet2 and Simon Fraser University in Canada. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded a $1.1 million grant to Penn State in 2003 to develop the technology.
In January 2004, Napster launched an online music service that gave Penn State students streaming access and limited downloads. The service was free with tuition.
— Associated Press
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
