P2P File Sharing

File sharing is the distribution of digital media, be it over a network or using the various forms of storage media.  Examples of media that are shared may be video, music, software, or e-books.  They may be shared over the internet, on portable hard drives and flash drives, or optical disks.

P2P file sharing in particular is of special interest.  In this model, the distribution and sharing of digital media is performed over a peer-to-peer network in which connected users can access files being shared by other connect peers.  Examples of P2P networks include, but are not limited to, E-Donkey, Shareazza, Rapid Share, Limewire, the very popular Bittorrent, and Usenet newsgroups.  P2P filesharing has been heavily targeted by the MPAA and RIAA due to the adverse effect it has taken on their industry's revenues.  In 2009, the MPAA claimed that "illegal downloads and streams were responsible for about 40% of the revenue the industry loses annually to piracy" (Stelter and Stone, 2009).

The Bittorent model facilitates the distribution of large files like full length movies and software by breaking the file down into small parts that one downloads from multiple "seeders" and "leeches", simultaneously.  All of the information related to a "torrent" is stored at a "tracker".  The speed with which a user can download a torrent is quite impressive especially with the increased availability of broadband internet access. 

It has been somewhat of a challenge to establish any form of effective legislation against P2P filesharing and the illicit distribution of intellectual property.  This is especially challenging because much of the distribution is centralized in foreign markets where there are no regulations present.  Additionally, athough "file sharing on P2P networks appears to have leveled off, sites that offered alternatives to downloads, like streaming of pirated movies, have seen rapid growth" (Pfanner, 2009).