Peer-to-Peer Goes Legit - IMesh becomes the first file-sharing service to offer legal access to more than 2 million tracks from major labels and independents. by Niall McKay. [Movies & Music]

While I would be happy to see music and other media available to the consumer at no cost, this recent development for iMesh is a good blend of easy consumer access and commercial viability. Using a true peer-to-peer architecture, differing from iTunes' server-to-client model, iMesh offers a libary of "up to 2 million tracks" for 99 cents each or $6.95 per month. This subscription plan, not offered by iTunes, is an offering that I believe brings true value to the consumer. If a user downloads as few as 8 songs per month, he is already experiencing a savings in the form of a unit price below 99 cents. Most music fans could find many more songs than 8 per month and the value of this option becomes even greater. I don't mean to run on like an iMesh marketer, but in the interests of seeing media brought cheaply to the consumer I thought I'd share some of its merits.

Another unique feature of iMesh is access to what they are calling 'gray market' songs. These songs are those who's copyright has lapsed or been left unclaimed. This pseudo-public domain is a feature not found in most other music downloading programs and offers a fantastic method for independent artists to get exposure for their material. This element of iMesh is similar to Google's new Library project. This is an initiative to put as much of the printed literary word as possible online. Google's project also relies heavily on unclaimed copyright, public domain works, and the voluntary participation of copyright holders.