Thread: FileSharing Manipulation

Alright, I'm unsure how file hosting websites conduct their sweeps regarding so-called infringing content. I even heard as far as that they do it to random files on a daily basis. I don't know, hopefully y'all could tell me; I would really like to know.

So, since I don't know how it works, I have ideas that may perhaps change the filesharing game. Tell me rather these ideas are impractical, great, excessive, terrible, ludicrous, or however it comes off to you.

These are ideas are an attempt to thwart the removal of so-called infringing material. Here they are:

1) Just simply change the filename to something COMPLETELY unrelated; as in, the filename has nothing to do with what the content actually is. So really... the only ppl who would actually know the true identity of the file, of course, is up to the uploader's discretion.



2) RAR archive password. Perhaps packaging a file in a .rar with a protected password would thwart its removal. As much as I hate these things, it may prove to preserve the file's indefinitely? Hence, if they were to check this material, they would have to know the password.

3) Change the file extension. In theory, if they actually view the content via person or computer to see whether the content is infringing or not, perhaps assigning an unknown or rare file extension, would throw the process off? Hence, if they try to open it, it would be recognized as corrupted or an unknown format.

One of the real problems I see with my ideas is that thousands of ppl would be downloading these files; of course, leading to suspicion. Second, they might have mystery guests (like a mystery shopper) to spy on forums and such.

I may be out my mind on all counts, I don't know. But that's what y'all for. Express y'all feedback.

All of those has been attempted on several different P2P distribution methods:

1) If you change the file-name, it corrupts the results. This means you need to have a website that accurately describes what is in the misnamed files. In some cases, up-loaders purposely uses numeric file-names to prevent knowledge of the content. This also means that a very small population downloads the file, which slows down the propagation of the file through the net, such as a newly released show or movie. Most scene release groups do not like this idea, since the fame of the scene ripper relies on how fast and reliable their service is.

2) This also relies on a single point website or mirrors. Also, slows down the propagation of the files and limits the population size. In addition, the RARs cannot be scanned for Viruses or Trojans unless if the antivirus scanners knows the passwords.

3) Some websites look for hash id info for files, this is a unique fingerprint for the files, regardless of their names or extensions. If the host site has the hash id of the infringing file, any other files uploaded after that would be removed, regardless of the name and extension. If anything, the hosting sites that keeps the hash id of any file reported as a copyright infringement and remove any further files. When they do that they can prove that they did more than their due diligence and is therefore not liable for any legal actions.

Unfortunately, it seems that there needs to be 2 different P2P networks, one that hosts the ID of the file and password (this prevents single point site and mirrors) and the other network is for the hosted files. In some way, there needs to be a form of a verification of the legitimacy of the file and if it is clean. This info is to be attached to the first network file.

Not that I honestly know all too much about inner workings of file hosting websites (which is what I think is being discussed :P) but just thought I'd mention that Ive personally seen your first two ideas in action on a regular basis and I assume that for some releases its more common than others.

I've followed a couple blogs that deal exclusively in audiophile hi-res/red book vinyl rips, the files are always .rar'd with a password and are generally not named what the album actually is. On occasion the file is abbreviated in some way or logically related ie: you may be downloading a rip of David Bowie - Space Oddity and the files will be named DBSO or DB Space Man or Major Tom or something to that effect. Ive never seen your third idea (in my fairly limited dealings) though.

For what its worth, files do still get taken down but i wouldn't say its very frequent (not that i know how frequently it happens in general) and very rarely a ripper will have his account banned causing a mild slow down until he buys another.