EarthLink Releases File Sharing App
The Research and Development division of leading ISP EarthLink has released a peer-to-peer file sharing application that utilizes SIP technology. Dubbed SIPshare, the software was designed to demonstrate how SIP, or Session Initiation Protocol, can be used beyond its common voice and video implementations to share content.
SIP is usually found within real time communications applications, such as Microsoft's upcoming Office Live Communications Server 2005, as well as voice over IP (VOIP) telephones.
Although ISPs are usually the last to condone file sharing usage, EarthLink hopes SIPshare will help spread the word about what SIP can do - including enabling peer-to-peer.
"EarthLink believes an open Internet is a good Internet," reads the SIPshare Web site. "An open Internet means users have full end-to-end connectivity to say to each other whatever it is they say, be that voice, video, or other data exchanges, without the help of mediating servers in the middle whenever possible."
SIPshare is completely open source and available under a BSD-style license. The software is Java-based, and is available for download via FileForum.
With the Recording Industry Association of America pushing lawmakers to shut down peer-to-peer networks and filing lawsuits against file traders, major ISPs such as EarthLink may be the saving grace for the technology.
"We believe that if peer-to-peer flourishes, the Internet flourishes," says EarthLink.