I found this over at the Inquirer dated 10 May:

"SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS are designing secret file sharing networks that will make it harder for the music and file industry to prove cases of piracy.
According to Reuters, three file sharing networks are being planned which its users think will make it a lot harder for music industry to track and charge people on their networks.

The first is Optisoft which runs on Blubster (http://www.blubster.com) and Piolet (http://www.piolet.com), music-only file-sharing networks.

A spokesman for Optisoft said that although it would not stop the RIAA from suing users, he couldn’t see how the association could win. When the new network is released it will offer two layers of camouflage. Each user has multiple Internet protocol (IP) addresses to mask themselves. Files in the network are disguised to look entirely generic to the outside observer. The multiple IP addresses are taken from other users on the network and distort individual activities. He reckons, it makes it four times more difficult for a copyright holder to trace the activities of file-sharers and means the RIAA would be forced to do a mass action against every user in the network, and would be unable to identify each person’s liability.

Another EarthStation 5 (http://www.es5.com) and Filetopia (http://www.filetopia.com) are also claiming that they could keep the RIAA away.
EarthStation 5, which carries the slogan "Resistance is futile, only the Anonymous will Survive," uses third-party proxies' computers to disguise the trail of sharers. Filetopia is using encryption to protect the identity of its users."

captbics

and these companies are just asking to be sued!

I can already see the success of these companies... /sacasm

They will either crash and burn or floruish. I suppose it all depends on the outcome of the first time a company like this is taken to court. If they win, their "industry" will be fairly safe. If they lose, all these companies just doomed themselves to failure. I think that if they win, it would just prove how truly flawed our justice systems are.

well - if one of those programs is developed in other country than the US, then to that program surely applies the rules of that country its developed at, ne ? of course the Recording Industry Ass of Am.. will try to take the case to US.. but on what grounds it could do that ? of course if its spesifically adverticed that the anomity is on so high grounds so that riaa / the other ass couldnt get them identified, then there might be something but othervice.. as far as I can think of.. no (unless its against the laws of that country)

It is quite feasible they could host the network from a non-extradition country and evade all legal implications. At internaitonal law the RIAA may be able to sue the company in that country, but only if the USA gov't does it on their behalf.

Chances of that happening ≈ 0.1%.