Like Bit Torrent, Joost, formerly called The Venice Project, only uses P2P for authorized distribution, not for open searching and sharing. The publisher-friendly architecture ensures that only authorized files can be shared.

This design was validated with Viacom's deal to permit video on Joost in exchange for the majority share of ad revenues. Viacom is the parent company of cable TV channels MTV and Comedy Central, and movie studio Paramount Pictures.

In comparison Viacom has refused to license its video clips YouTube, a web site where visitors can upload files. Viacom has requested that YouTube remove over 100,000 videos that contain copyrighted content.

Joost is currently in a limited test and expects to publicly launch in the summer.