AllPeers Goes Open Source

AllPeers launched with a bang but then struggled along with a whimper. That’s why today’s news that they are taking their source code open source (a popular move lately) is both a surrender as well as a glimmer of hope for the struggling startup.

AllPeers is a great idea in theory. Users can create private P2P file sharing networks, away from the prying eyes of the RIAA and MPAA fascists. But a number of other startups that also allow private file sharing have launched in the last year as well, and all are fighting for user attention.

AllPeers does have many passionate users, and some of them will now contribute to the open source project. The first few comments to the announcement are very positive – hopefully this will help AllPeers gain momentum.