A feature I thought of would be to 'chunk' a file into sections, and allow the host to limit the download to a certain number of chunks per client. If this feature were enabled, in order to get a complete file, a downloader would have to use multiple sources. This is assuming that all of the files are identical and can be combined after all pieces are collected.

For example, assume that the same 3 minute MP3 is located on 6 hosts, and each has a 30 second limit per file. If the software downloaded a different section of the file from each source, then assembled the file, the client would benefit. The benefit would be two-fold - 1) a faster download (given bandwidth is available) 2) No single source can be identified for the entire file.

As a host, I would enable this feature in order to provide a faster download for people, but also to protect myself from being targeted for sharing an entire file.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this idea.

This technology is called Partial File Sharing and Gnutella Clients like Gnucleus and Shareaza already have it. I think LimeWire is workin' on it though..

LimeWire has had it for quite awhile. I suspect the initial poster was suggesting more along the lines of forcefully disallowing a client from downloading the entire file from a single host, which is something that LimeWire does not do (nor does any other client).

Do you see (what I perceive) to be a value is such a feature?

Do you see (what I perceive) to be a value is such a feature?

I do, but the last thing gnutella needs is something that will further interrupt downloads, no?

I would rather have to go to a few sources for a complete file than have a summons from the RIAA....