BBC is starting trials on a new service it calls iMP, which uses P2P to make available recent TV programming to its audience over the internet.
iMP is an application in development offering UK viewers the chance to catch up on TV and radio programmes they may have missed for up to seven days after they have been broadcast, using the internet to legally download programmes to their home computers. iMP uses peer to peer distribution technology (P2P) to legally distribute these programmes.
Seven days after the programme transmission date the programme file expires (using Digital Rights Management - DRM - software) and users will no longer be able to watch it. DRM also prevents users emailing the files to other computer users or sharing it via disc.
I can't say that I'm a big fan of DRM, but overall I think this is a great idea. The biggest problem is that users need to use MSIE and Windows Media Player to use the service. Thomas Scott has a review which you can read on his site. I'll be waiting for Apple to sue BBC for the iMP name once they get the letter I trademarked.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has got it all wrong. 20 Congressmen are trying again to pass The Broadcast Flag.