 | |
| Developer(s) | iMesh, Inc. |
|---|---|
| Initial release | November 1999 |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Windows |
| Size | 14.0 MB |
| Type | Peer-to-peer |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www.imesh.com (defunct) |
iMesh was a media and file sharing client that was available in nine languages. It used a proprietary, centralized, P2P network (IM2Net) operating on ports 80, 443 and 1863.[1] iMesh was owned by American company iMesh, Inc., who maintained development centers around the world. As of 2009[update], it was the third most popular music subscription service in the US.[2]
iMesh operated the first "RIAA-approved" P2P service, allowing users residing in the United States and Canada to download music content of choice for a monthly fee in the form of either a Premium subscription or a "ToGo" subscription. This subscription-based approach is advocated by theories such as the Open Music Model. A third option was also available for users (residing in either country) to permanently purchase tracks for 99 cents (USD) each, without a subscription.
In September 2013, the website of iMesh was hacked and approximately 50M accounts were exposed. The data was later put up for sale on a dark market website in mid-2016 and included email and IP addresses, usernames and salted MD5 hashes.[3][4]
- ^ "iMesh – Over 15,000,000 Music downloads and MP3's – 100% legal". 30 July 2008. Archived from the original on 30 July 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ Staff, Edit (8 March 2009). "Indie Music Rights Agency Merlin Adds Tracks To P2P Network iMesh". paidcontent.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
- ^ "iMesh hack: More than 51 million user records from former filesharing site for sale on dark web". June 13, 2016.
- ^ "iMesh case on haveibeenpwned.com".