Peer-to-Peer File-Sharing Technology -- Dark Horse or White Knight? Counterpoint: Its Positive...

PITTSBURGH -- Expert Source Available for Commentary as the U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on the MGM-Grokster Copyright Infringement Case

What: Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing technology's negative
      reputation is rooted in individuals downloading 'bootleg'





				

				
				 
				


      entertainment from the Internet, but the technology should not
      be villainized. P2P is also being used to solve critical IT
      challenges in the public sector, improving access to public
      information and enhancing the cost effective delivery of vital
      community services.

      P2P is emerging as one of the few feasible technologies
      available to achieve the depth and breadth of information
      sharing needed in today's world to further scientific
      research, streamline government operations and provide people
      with the information they need to improve their lives.

      P2P is the next frontier, providing the massive scalability
      needed in the public and private sectors. If the Supreme Court
      rules that software makers are liable for every way in which
      their product is used, the use of P2P architecture employed
      for the benefit and welfare of humanity will be curtailed.

Who:  Josh Knauer, Director of Advanced Development and authority
      on P2P, MAYA Design (www.maya.com).

      Josh Knauer is a leading technology expert available for
      commentary on how P2P technology can be used for the common
      good as it supports the mission of non-profits, community
      organizations and government agencies. A pioneer in this arena
      since 1991, he has championed the advancement, development and
      adoption of the Internet for the empowerment of users in the
      public sector. He was a nationally recognized commentator on
      the implications of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 and
      the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. Josh's positions
      in favor of free speech and fair use of the Internet were
      widely quoted in national media including CNN, Salon, and
      Wired Magazine. His opinions on Internet advancement have
      appeared on Fox News, Time and Entrepreneur. Josh is able to
      discuss these issues and the following three success stories
      that demonstrate the technology's effectiveness at the city,
      county and national levels in light of the U.S. Supreme Court
      hearings this week.

      Just in the last two years, MAYA has received in excess of $22
      million from federal and local government agencies to address
      these issues.

Why:  Consider the current applications of P2P which support human
      services, environmental health and neighborhood information
      systems efforts in the public sector:

      --  Human Services - Allegheny County, Pa., (Pittsburgh) has
          revolutionized its referral and statistical analysis
          process within the County's Dept. of Human Services,
          thanks to a community-based GIS system created by MAYA
          Design. The system gives professionals a central,
          comprehensive repository of shared data about community
          resources derived from DHS data, United Way data and other
          agencies throughout Western Pennsylvania. Professionals
          can share, rate and comment on information in real-time in
          the "Information Commons."

      --  Environmental Health - Using P2P, the Heinz Foundation,
          with the Carnegie Library System and MAYA Design, created
          a groundbreaking research tool that enables users to query
          EPA data on toxic release events, study a map of local
          health problem incidences, and display an unlimited number
          of other health indicators. The core of the technology
          fuses data from a vast array of disparate databases into
          the "Information Commons."

      --  Community Information System - P2P technology has been
          employed to help Pittsburgh's urban revitalization
          efforts. MAYA Design, working with the University of
          Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University and local community
          agencies created the Community Information System, which
          offers a unique way to understand the forces affecting
          local neighborhoods such as mover migration, crime
          statistics, abandoned properties and more.

When: U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments for the
      Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. vs. Grokster, Ltd. Copyright
      Infringement Case, Tues., March 29, Washington, D.C.

Contact Heidi K. Zuhl at Graham & Associates to set up an interview: 415-986-7212 or hzuhl@graham-associates.com.