WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Nov. 11, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Altnet, a subsidiary of Brilliant Digital Entertainment (AMEX:BDE), the leading provider of secure digital media via Internet and peer-to-peer (P2P) technologies, announced today that it has issued notices to nine companies, including BigChampagne, Ranger Online, MediaDefender, Overpeer and MediaSentry, warning them to cease engaging in activities that Altnet believes constitute patent infringement.
Altnet believes these companies have been using its patented TrueNames file-identifying technology to spoof, track or interdict files on file sharing networks, and that the technology was used improperly to identify people sharing files who were then sued for copyright infringement.
"We continue to focus on protecting and commercializing our patented technology and realizing the potential it offers content owners by commercializing peer-to-peer networks," said Derek Broes, Altnet's executive vice president of worldwide operations. "These companies are using Altnet's patented technology without Altnet's permission to spoof, track and interdict shared files."
Altnet's TrueNames technology facilitates the identification of unique files on a massively distributed network by using a unique file hash identifier that enables one to track, retrieve, monitor and charge for the distribution of content. TrueNames is a method of identifying data based on the actual content of a file, rather than by the file name, origin, location, address or other information that can be easily changed. A unique identifier, or hash, is assigned to the data using an algorithm in a process protected by U.S. Patents Nos. 5,978,791 and 6,415,280, both of which have been exclusively licensed to Altnet for peer-to-peer applications.
"Altnet acquired the TrueNames patents in order to build a commercial solution for P2P operators and content owners. The patent should not be used improperly for any reason," added Broes. "That it is being used without permission in order to research or interfere with the infringement of others' intellectual property is ironic."
About Altnet
Altnet is the leading peer-to-peer distributor of secure digital media that originates from content owners. Altnet reaches an estimated 100 million users and is the #1 issuer of rights managed music in the world. Altnet's products integrate with websites, applications, and peer-to-peer networks to allow Internet users to simply and easily locate, download, preview and purchase digital content. Altnet is a subsidiary of Brilliant Digital Entertainment (AMEX: BDE).