FTC hearing explores consumer file-sharing issues

The Federal Trade Commission is holding a public session today and tomorrow (December 15-16) to deal with consumer protection and competition issues surrounding peer-to-peer file sharing. The agenda for the program, which is free and held at the FTC’s Conference Center in Washington, D.C., includes:

The uses of P2P file-sharing technology;
The role of P2P file-sharing technology in the economy;
Identification and disclosure of P2P file-sharing software program risks;
Technological solutions to protect consumers from risks associated with P2P file-sharing software programs;
P2P file-sharing and music distribution; and
P2P file-sharing and its impact on copyright holders.

Those who cannot attend can file comments. Details on the hearing and the comment process are on the Commission’s web site.