Inserting java in mp3 meta tag ..

[Sg4]

First of all I'm not a programmer personally, but I was wondering if it would be possible to insert java or other code into the meta tag of an mp3 so that the tags could ping a server and be updated dynamically at any time (as long as there was a network connection present). Any ideas? Thanks

 

[pjleonhardt]

No.. There would have to be a background program running to check the server and update the tags.

 

[DavidR]

I remember hearing awhile back (this was a few years ago) about how record labels would inject code into mp3's that could track who was uploading what. That was and probably still is the main way they catch people stealing mp3's. The act of downloading isn't the big problem, it's the act of uploading.

 

[lazar]

From what I heard, it wasn't actually code. It was sounds at a low frequency which were injected into the actual MP3 file. Supposedly they did this separately for every advance cd that went out, then when the cd would leak they would run the leaked tracks through a program and pin point where it came from. I find this to be highly bullshit as I haven't heard about anyone getting caught. I still think the only way they catch people sharing songs is through their IP.

I think inserting java would be impossible to do as the mp3 files can't execute bye themselves, so inserting code wouldn't work? Or I'm completely wrong.

 

[Sg4]

Make a P2P client that does the following:

1) When an MP3 file is uploaded, it wraps it with an outer executable layer, similar to how a self extracting Zip file is made with a lossless algorithm

2) When the person on the other end finishes downloading it, and opens it, it would give the user 3 plays, and then a chance to purchase the file. I suggest writing this in JAVA or some other platform neutral system.

3) When the user purchases the file, it removes the executable layer resulting in a standard, non-encrypted MP3 file, plus create a proof of purchase file that one could prove they legally purchased the song. This would work on any player, with any player software, on any operating system. Additionally, it would survive backups, space shifting, and computer hardware upgrades on the consumer end.

Someone wrote this on a newsletter I'm on and I got curious. Would this work? I'm thinking of something similar for a different purpose.