by Pete Capra 14:50, 21 Oct 2004 (EST)
Morpheus, developed by MusicCity, was originally a web-based search interface (similar to AudioGalaxy) that allowed users to log on and search the OpenNap network for MP3 files. Shortly after the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) filed several lawsuits against the OpenNap network for Copyright infringement, Morpheus was developed into a Microsoft Windows client that operated using the FastTrack network.
After the switch to the FastTrack network and the Windows client, Morpheus began to regain popularity using features such as video, image, document and software file sharing in addition to audio sharing, but the success was to be short lived. In February 2002, after a licensing dispute with FastTrack owner Kazaa BV, Morpheus was kicked off the FastTrack network. Kazaa BV had updated the FastTrack network and failed to include support for Morpheus users. Outraged, Morpheus owners (know known as StreamCast) attacked back at Kazaa BV through the media: “Since it appears that the attack on your computers came from the closed proprietary FastTrack-Kazaa software, we have opted not to continue with this (technology)… we believe it to have the ability to access your computer at will and change registry settings.�
During this time, Morpheus was taken to court by RIAA and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) for Copyright infringement. In a surprise decision, the US Courts ruled that StreamCast’s operation of Morpheus was legal; since the network was decentralised; the company had no control over what users shared. However, without the support of the FastTrack network, Morpheus could no longer operate.
Morpheus went back to the drawing board and in March 2003, StreamCast released a version of Morpheus that used the Gnutella network, but troubled times still lay ahead for StreamCast and Morpheus – during a dispute over the GNU General Public Licence (GPL) of Gnutella, Morpheus was forced to switch to an outdated network, Jtella. Eventually, the dispute was resolved and Morpheus continued to run on the Gnutella network.
Slowly but surely, Morpheus began to regain its status as one of the leading P2P file-sharing programs with added features such as virus scanning and the introduction of a new network NEOnet that allowed users to connect to other networks such as Kazaa, iMesh, Grokster, eDonkey and LimeWire. Another attempt to regain users was the introduction of Voice Chat in March 2004; an initiative supported by Australian company Talking Tech Enterprises that provided the functionality for users to communicate in real time using VOIP technology. Despite the downfalls Morpheus and StreamCast experienced over the years, Morpheus still remains a member of P2P United.
Borland J. (2002) “Morpheus’ downfall: Bills weren’t paid� News.Com Article, retrieved October 15, 2004, from http://news.com.com/2100-1023-851330.html
Morpheus (2004) “peer-to-peer file sharing software� retrieved October 12, 2004, from http://www.morpheus.com
Morpheus 4.5.0 (2004) Created by StreamCast Networks Inc. Los Angeles, CA.: StreamCast Networks Inc. [Software: Download]
OpenP2P (2001) “Morpheus out of the Underworld� retrieved October 20, 2004 from http://www.openp2p.com/pub/a/p2p/2001/07/02/morpheus.html?page=1
Slyck (2004) “Slyck’s Guide to Gnutella� retreived October 15, 2004, from http://www.slyck.com/gnutella.php?page=7
Slyck (2004) “Slyck News – Morpheus Adds Voice Chat� retrieved October 15, 2004, from http://www.slyck.com/news.php?story=418
WikiPedia (2004) “Morpheus�, retrieved October 20, 2004 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morpheus_%28computer_program%29
ZeroPaid (2004) “Morpheus� retrieved October 13, 2004 from http://www.zeropaid.com/morpheus/
P2P File Sharing Networks
Napster
Gnutella
BearShare
Kazaa
Pete Capra 11:33, 21 Oct 2004 (EST)
