Watermarked MP3′s

Think of placing your mp3 collection(s) on a peer to peer network (P2P)?

Think again!.

Fraunhofer Institute has developed prototype technology to help curb the sharp rise in online music piracy, which, ironically, has been enabled through another invention of the renowned German research group: MP3 audio compression.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Integrated Publication and Information Systems Institute have successfully tested a software system, based on the group’s own digital watermarking technology, for tracking pirated audio files in peer-to-peer file-sharing networks, says Michael Kip, a spokesperson for the institute.

What’s interesting is that the system doesn’t help authorities go after the people who are sharing or have downloaded illegal copies of the watermarked MP3 tracks, it’s really designed to nail the person who purchased the music legally but unwisely decided to put it on a peer-to-peer network.

Source & more: eHomeUpgrade