A Big Name in Distributed Computing
Back in the day, LimeWire made a name for itself as one of the most popular peer-to-peer file-sharing services out there. Throughout the 2000s, LimeWire became popular because it allowed tens of millions of monthly users to share music, movies, and any kind of files or media for free.
This popularity, however, did not come without its share of controversy. After a very long legal battle with the Recording Industry of America over allegations of piracy, a US District Court found the platform caused copyright infringement, and the company was forced to cease all functionality for its platform.
A Crypto Makeover
Austrian entrepreneurial brothers Julian and Paul Zehetmayr bought the rights to the company and are working on LimeWire’s resurrection, as co-CEOs, with plans to use the platform in a way that directly connects artists and fans.
Instead of moving into the streaming industry like many of its peer-to-peer cousins, such as Napster, LimeWire is getting a crypto makeover. The move is akin to that of BitTorrent and its aquisition, as reported by The Verge by the crypto start-up TRON.
Although retaining its original name, this iteration of LimeWire has no relation with anyone from the original company. In maintaining the original name, the co-CEOs hope to capitalize on LimeWire’s previous fame.
The whole idea behind relaunching as an NFT marketplace is to create a tool where “you’ll be able to create, buy, and trade NFT collectibles with ease”.
Julian Zehetmayr said in a statement to Business Insider:
LimeWire plans to list prices in US dollars on the platform, and users will be able to purchase tokens using credit cards. The company has already partnered with the start-up Wyre to facilitate payments.
The company also has plans to launch its own crypto token native to the new LimeWire ecosystem. Its launch will start with an initial offering to investors in March and an invite-only private sale in April, followed by a public sale in 2022.
A Different Time, A Different Approach
LimeWire’s impact on 2000s internet culture is no overstatement. It arrived at a time when we had no streaming services, and peer-to-peer file-sharing platforms were the go-to place to get the newest song or dig out a cult film.
Its impact was so significant that the company’s name still resonates today. However, after the company’s controversial demise, there was little hope of it ever coming back. At least, that is, until the Zehetmayr brothers picked it up, dusted it off, and revitalized it with a brand-new approach to file-sharing: an NFT marketplace.
