Editing Morpheus (computer program)

{{Cleanup|date=November 2006}}
{{Infobox Software
| name                   = Morpheus
| logo                   = <!--  Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Top_morpheus_m.jpg]] -->
| screenshot             = 
| caption                = 
| developer              = StreamCast Networks
| released               = ?
| frequently_updated     = yes<!-- Release version update? Don't edit this page, just click on the version number! -->
| programming language   = ?
| operating system       = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]
| language               = ?
| genre                  = [[peer to peer|P2P]]
| license                = [[Closed source]]
| website                = [http://www.morpheus.com/ Official Site]
}}
'''Morpheus''' is a [[file sharing]] and searching [[peer-to-peer|peer to peer]] client for [[Microsoft Windows]], developed and distributed by the company [[StreamCast]], that originally used the [[OpenNAP]] protocol, but now supports many peer to peer protocols.

==History==

{{proseline}}

In 2000,  Morpheus changed protocols, from [[OpenNAP]] to [[FastTrack]]. 
Morpheus was then the most used P2P application of its time with over 4,500,000 users online at any given time period.In addition, Morpheus was also the most downloaded product on CNET Download.com and managed over 24,000,000 downloads in just 9 short days after March 10 2002.

On [[February 26]] [[2002]], all Morpheus clients suddenly stopped working when the FastTrack protocol was updated and Morpheus users no longer were allowed to log into the network. This was apparently because of a licensing dispute between StreamCast and the owners of FastTrack.

On [[March 2]], [[2003]] a new, less-robust Morpheus client using the [[Gnutella]] network and the networking core from the [[Gnucleus]] [[servent]] was released. When challenged on their decision not to abide by the terms of the GPL, under which Gnucleus had been released, Morpheus switched to a very outdated Jtella core, and after the disputes had been worked out, Morpheus switched back to the Gnucleus core. Since then, the network core has been updated to include [[Gnutella2]], and StreamCast has created their own network, '[[NEOnet]],' and has included support for MLDonkey plugins, allowing access to [[EDonkey Network]], [[Overnet]] Network, and, once again, [[FastTrack]].

In [[April 2003]], [[Grokster]] and StreamCast (providers of the Morpheus P2P software) obtained a ruling by a [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]] federal court judge, Stephen Wilson, in its favor against the [[RIAA]] and the [[film|motion picture]] industry which stated that their file swapping software was not illegal.

On [[August 20]] [[2003]], the decision was appealed.

On [[August 17]], [[2004]], the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit]] issued a partial ruling supporting Grokster and StreamCast. This appeal presents the question of whether distributors of peer-to-peer file-sharing computer networking software may be held contributorily or vicariously liable for copyright infringements by users. "Under the circumstances presented by this case, we conclude that the defendants are not liable for contributory and vicarious copyright infringement and affirm the district court's partial grant of summary judgment."

In [[December 2004]], the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] agreed to hear the case. Oral arguments began on [[29 March]] [[2005]].

On [[June 4]] [[2005]], Streamcast Networks released a completely redesigned Morpheus 5.0. Connecting to NEO Network, Gnutella & Gnutella2, and with its lack of bundled software, Morpheus started to regain userbase. 

On [[June 27]] [[2005]], the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] unanimously ruled that Morpheus and Grokster may be held accountable when their users pirate music. (See also [[MGM Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd.]])

The latest version that supports unlimited downloads is 5.3.0. Versions after this are effectively restricted.

==Download Restriction==
Currently, Morpheus redirects a user attempting to download unauthorized copyrighted music and movie files to a site with purchase links for music.

==Presence of Adware/Spyware==
{{Unreferencedsection|date=February 2008}}
The current version of Morpheus, version 5.5.1 contains adware or spyware; no additional software is bundled with Morpheus.   When Morpheus is open and running, the interface contains online ads that support the application. 

During installation, an <nowiki>optional</nowiki> peer-to-peer Morpheus Toolbar is offered.  Both the Morpheus application and the Morpheus Toolbar are easily uninstalled with Windows Add/Remove Programs commands, however this is not the case with previous versions.

The previous version of Morpheus, version 5.3 does not install [[adware]] or [[spyware]], but it does install some Desktop shortcuts to adware websites and the Morpheus Toolbar without user approval. The desktop shortcuts can be removed, however the toolbar cannot be removed via Windows Add/Remove Programs.

==In popular culture==
*Weird Al mentions Morpheus in [[Don't Download This Song]].

==External links==
* [http://www.morpheus.com Morpheus Website]
* [http://www.morphies.net Morpheus 5.3.0]
* [http://www.streamcastnetworks.com Streamcast Networks]
* [http://www.neonetwork.com NEO Network]
* [http://www.morpheusforum.com Morpheus Forum]
* [http://www.eff.org/IP/P2P/MGM_v_Grokster/ MGM v. Grokster case documents]
* [http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20040823002045984 MGM v. Grokster Ninth Circuit oral argument transcript]
* [http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/5002/mgmday1.html MGM v Grokster Day 1] - Coverage from [[MP3 Newswire]] on the first day of the Supreme Court trial.
* ''[http://shumans.com/p2p-business-models.pdf Advanced Peer-Based Technology Business Models]''. [[Shuman Ghosemajumder|Ghosemajumder, Shuman]]. [[MIT Sloan School of Management]], 2002.

[[Category:Virtual communities]]
[[Category:Gnutella clients]]

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