Researchers at Princeton University have developed a system design for
peer-to-peer computer networks for content sharing. Princeton is currently
seeking an industrial collaborator to commercialize this
technology.
The new system proposes creating a market economy for user-submitted
content while providing income for the system provider through a commercial
advertisement mechanism to enable system upkeep and development. It
introduces an economic system having its own virtual currency for Internet users
to come together and to trade their content among themselves. The virtual
currency has real monetary value which allows it to be exchanged with real money
at any time, transforming the peer-to-peer network design from a barter economy
to a monetary economy. As such, it solves the commonly encountered
problems of free-riders and blocked leechers in peer-to-peer networks and
enables users to share their content without restriction in time and
space.
It is anticipated that this technology will be competitive with current
file sharing systems in that it will provide increased incentives for Internet
users to share their content with others.
Patent
protection is pending.
For
more information please contact:
William H. Gowen
Office of Technology Licensing and Intellectual
Property
Princeton University
4 New South Building
Princeton, NJ 08544-0036
(609) 258-6762
(609) 258-1159 fax
wgowen@princeton.edu