SnoCap, the new P2P cataloguing system set up by the creator of the original Napster, Shawn Fanning, has signed up hundreds of independents in the US.
SnoCap has developed a system where by P2P networks can track songs being shared by how they sound. The idea is that music fans who use SnoCap enabled P2P networks will be able to legally share copyrighted music owned by affiliated record labels, but will be charged a small fee to do so. The sharing of non-copyrighted music can continue without charge.
Key independents TVT and Artemis have signed up to the service - as has the Independent Online Distribution Alliance which represents some 500 independent labels in the US. As previously reported,
Universal and SonyBMG are already on board and Warner and EMI are expected to follow soon.
However, the real challenge for SnoCap is still to come. All the record companies may sign up, but will the major P2P networks adopt the system which, while legitimising their operation, severely reduces their USP over the legal download platforms like Napster and iTunes? And even if the big P2Ps do sign up (or, in the
US at least, Congress forces them to do so via new copyright legislation), will music fans carry on using those restricted services, or will they look for unofficial new P2P systems without
SnoCap style limitations instead?