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LimeWire
Maintainer: Lime Wire LLC
Stable release: 4.12.14 (2007-06-24) [+/-]
Preview release: 4.13.10 (2007-07-01) [+/-]
OS: Cross-platform
Use: File sharing
License: GNU General Public License
Website: http://www.limewire.org/
http://www.limewire.com/
LimeWire is a peer-to-peer file sharing client for the Java Platform, which
uses the Gnutella network to locate and transfer files. Released under the
GNU General Public License, Limewire is free software. It also encourages
the user to pay a fee, which will then give the user access to LimeWire Pro.
Features
Written in the Java programming language, LimeWire is able to run on any
computer with Java Virtual Machine installed. Installers are provided for
Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Support for Mac OS 9 and other
previous versions was dropped with the release of LimeWire 4.0.10.
LimeWire uses SHA-1 and tiger tree hash cryptographic hash functions to
ensure that downloaded data is uncompromised. Although researchers have
identified possible vulnerabilities in the SHA-1 algorithm, because LimeWire
does not rely on SHA-1 alone, these vulnerabilities do not have many adverse
implications for LimeWire's verification of downloaded files.
Limewire offers the sharing of its library through Digital Audio Access
Protocol. As such, when LimeWire is running, any files shared will be
detectable on the local network by DAAP-enabled devices (eg. iTunes).
Versions
Lime Wire LLC, the developer of LimeWire, distributes two versions of the
program; a basic version for free, and an enhanced version sold for a fee of
US$18.88 (£9.78) that offers faster downloads. This is accomplished by
facilitating direct connection with up to 4 hosts of an identical searched
file at any one time, whereas the free version is limited to a maximum of 2
hosts.[1] Prior to April 2004, the free version of LimeWire was distributed
with a bundled program called LimeShop (a variant of TopMoxie), which was
considered by computer security experts to be spyware. Among other things,
LimeShop monitored online purchases in order to redirect sales commissions
to Lime Wire LLC. Uninstallation of LimeWire would not remove LimeShop. With
the removal of all bundled software in LimeWire 3.9.4 (released on April 20,
2004), these objections were addressed.[2]
Since it is free and open source software, LimeWire has spawned several
forks, including LionShare, an experimental software development project at
Penn State University, and Acquisition, a Mac OS X–based Gnutella client
with a proprietary interface. Researchers at Cornell University developed a
reputation management add-in called Credence that allows users to
distinguish between "genuine" and "suspect" files before downloading them.
An October 12, 2005 report states that some of LimeWire's open source
contributors have forked the project and called it FrostWire.[3]
LimeWire was the first file sharing program to support firewall-to-firewall
file transfers, a feature introduced in version 4.2, which was released in
November 2004.
The current beta version of LimeWire incorporates a rewrite of Limewire's
handling of metadata and now includes BitTorrent support.
Controversy and legal issues
According to a June 28, 2005, report in The New York Times, Lime Wire LLC
was considering ceasing distributing LimeWire due to the outcome of MGM v.
Grokster.[4] On September 25, 2005, it was reported that Lime Wire LLC was
working on a version of the program which will refuse to share files that
lack valid license information.[5] Neither of these events occurred, and as
of July 3, 2007, it is still possible to download LimeWire and share
copyrighted files.
On August 4, 2006, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sued
LimeWire, alleging that it was profiting from unauthorized downloads.[6] On
September 25, 2006 LimeWire countersued the RIAA for antitrust
violations.[7]
On May 12, 2006, the BBC reported that "Limewire" and "Lime wire" were among
search terms likely to return links to malware from an Internet search
engine.[8]
CA Anti-Spyware (formerly PestPatrol) flags LimeWire as spyware, and also
detects Kazaa as being installed on computers with LimeWire.
Business model
Limewire, LLC generates its revenues from the sale of Limewire Pro. A
Limewire Pro license costs $18.88, and provides the user with a 6 month
license. While commonly mistaken by many users to be a license to the
content accessible via Limewire on the Gnutella network, in fact, it is only
a license to the software.
The Pro version differs from the Basic version in 2 respects:
* It offers technical support.
* It provides more results and faster downloads.
References
* Felten, Edward W (2004). SHA1 Break Rumored. Freedom To Tinker Discussion
Forum. Retrieved on 2005-07-08.
* Advanced Peer-Based Technology Business Models. MIT Sloan School of
Management (2002).
* Silverthorne, Sean (2004). Music Downloads: Pirates- or Customers?.
Harvard Business School Working Knowledge.
Notes
1. ^ http://www.limewire.com/english/content/download.shtml
2. ^ http://www.limewire.com/english/content/features_history.shtml
3. ^ "FrostWire Beta Released", from Slyck.com
4. ^ Tom Zeller. June 28, 2005. "Trying to Tame an Unruly Technology". New
York Times. Section C, Column 2, Pg. 1.
5. ^ http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=927
6. ^ http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2006/08/copy-of-complaint-in-arista-v-lime.html
7. ^ http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2006/09/lime-wire-sues-riaa-for-antitrust.html
and http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com/2006/11/limewire-files-amended-counterclaims.html
8. ^ BBC News: Warning on search engine safety
read the copyright
Current News: a dictionary of current search terms and popular interest topics.