Limewire is working on revisions that will verify that every file being shared on its service has a legal license.The next version of LimeWire may have content filters that block unlicensed material from being shared between users.
Developers have been working on two revisions to LimeWire code that would verify that every file being shared has a current, legal license, according to reports in the New York Times and Slyck.com.
If a license can't be verified, it will be blocked from being downloaded, with a message notifying the user that a "suitable license" has not been found.
Another change may be in how individuals can publish their own work without a license. The next version may let people attach a Creative Commons license that confirms the content is their creation, or that they have permission to distribute the content.
Although LimeWire did not respond to requests for comment, or to confirm the reported product changes, analysts and industry observers did note that since the Supreme Court's ruling on file sharing, changes in the industry have been expected.
The court's decision in the MGM v. Grokster case, in which the lawsuit was remanded back to the lower courts, has caused much discussion in the peer to peer community, but no hint of changes in product development until now.
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"It would be surprising to see widespread product changes while this is still being decided in the courts," said Forrester analyst Ted Schadler. "But it would make sense to see some tweaks in terms of building in protections, based on what the court ruled."
Because of the language of the ruling, it is possible that LimeWire is creating simple license protections to make sure it complies with any subsequent lower court rulings, said Lawrence Solum, John E. Cribbet Professor of Law at the University of Illinois College of Law.
"The ruling basically created a blueprint of what P2P companies have to do in order to protect themselves from prosecution," said Solum.
"If a company like LimeWire puts in straightforward language and makes an attempt to block unlicensed material, it can probably avoid future liability entirely."
LimeWire's decision could have been cemented by a recent spate of letters sent on September 13 by the RIAA.
The organization sent notes to a number of P2P developers, which likely included LimeWire, emphasizing the court's decision and warning that litigation would be undertaken against those who are still infringing on copyright.
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