Troubled by the numerous media reports of seizures of child sexual-abuse content, in winter 2008 Professor David began formulating ideas for a system that could eradicate this scourge from the Internet.

 "After analyzing the existing cyber-surveillance solutions, I quickly saw that none were truly effective at detecting and blocking the illicit files previously indexed by the police that were so widespread on the Internet," Dr. David says. "Some were based on detecting the IP addresses of 'banned' websites, while others needed to access the entire file in order to detect it. Detecting the passage of a known file by simply monitoring an Internet connection seemed impossible, since files are split into so many IP packets."

History of a promising venture

Pondering the question, Dr. David, a programmable-circuits specialist, conceived an algorithm able to detect known files based on simple data fragments -- in this case, IP packets. "After a few tests, I could see that the algorithm held promise: it was performing far beyond my expectations," he says. He contacted Polytechnique's Office of Research/Centre for Technological Development to complete an invention disclosure. Univalor stepped in to take charge of the patent application and begin marketing the algorithm.

The technology has a number of potentially useful applications, including virus prevention, protection of confidential data and computer security. However, Dr. David is adamant that his algorithm be first used to combat child sexual-abuse content, according to Thomas Martinuzzo, Project Manager, Business Development, Science and Engineering, at Gestion Univalor.

"We contacted law enforcement agencies and firms working in this area to suggest that they work together," says Mr. Martinuzzo. "The Swedish company NetClean immediately expressed interest."

Founded in 2003, NetClean offers software solutions that analyze all images viewed on a computer, compare them with a database of images previously seized by the police and detect illicit images. After obtaining commercial rights to the invention through Univalor, NetClean is working with the professor to develop a new product.

"NetClean has spent nearly a decade raising awareness about how to prevent pedophiles from viewing and distributing child sexual-abuse materials," says Christian Sjöberg, Chief Executive Officer of NetClean Technologies. "Every day we're speaking to ISPs, police forces and businesses about what they can do better. There is high demand for better technologies to put a stop to child sexual abuse, and the market is crying out for smarter solutions. This is why we're proud to be working with Dr. David and Univalor. Not only is the algorithm effective, we are also honoured to be working along side like-minded partners who believe as strongly as we do about putting an end to the spread of child sexual-abuse content."

To read about Professor David's expertise:
http://www.polymtl.ca/recherche/rc/en/professeurs/details.php?NoProf=337

About NetClean

NetClean is a world leader in technical solutions for preventing the spread of child sexual-abuse content. The products are developed in co-operation with police authorities, and NetClean's proactive solutions are employed by millions of users. NetClean's client portfolio includes, among others, small to multinational companies as well as government agencies, internet providers and police authorities.

About Gestion Univalor, s.e.c (Univalor)

Univalor is a limited partnership founded in 2001 whose mission is to accelerate the transfer to industry of inventions developed by researchers from Polytechnique Montréal, Université de Montréal, HEC Montreal and most of the affiliated hospitals. Its current portfolio consists of more than 300 technological inventions transferable to industry in the fields of pure and applied sciences; life sciences and human health sciences; management sciences; animal health; engineering; and information technologies.

About Polytechnique Montréal

Founded in 1873, Polytechnique Montréal is one of Canada's leading engineering teaching and research institutions. It is the largest engineering university in Québec for the size of its student body and the scope of its research activities. With over 37,000 graduates, Polytechnique Montréal has graduated 25% of the current members of the l'Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. Polytechnique provides training in 14 engineering specialties, has 230 professors and more than 6,700 students. It has an annual operating budget of over $100 million, in addition to a $70-million research budget.