P2P File Sharing

File sharing is when you share digital files such as documents, computer programs, games, e-books, music and video. You can share it via the internet or through a media device like an USB or DVD rom.

P2P file sharing is short for peer to peer file sharing. Users use a software to connect to a p2p network where they can search for files that is located on other people's computers that are also connected to the network. If someone finds a file that they are interested in downloading they download it directly from that particular user. Users usually have a folder that have all the files they are sharing on the network. Some examples of P2P file sharing are BitTorrent, Rapidshare, and Bearshare.

There are a lot of files that are freeware and legal to download but many people download files illegally through these p2p programs such as music and movies. There has always been ethical and legal issues regarding P2P networks. For example, in the article titled "Minnesota Mom hit with $1.5 million Fine for downloading 24 songs" by Daniel Kreps, Jammie Thomas-Rasset was fined heavily for using Kazaa (to download songs. She downloaded the songs illegally but is $1.5 million too much?? 24 songs comes out to about $24 on Itunes but the record labels backed up that amount by saying that she violated copyrights on more than 1700 songs. The RIAA didn't collect the money from the Minnesota mother but the trial served as a warning for people who download music illegally but people are still doing it regardless. The government has intervened by shutting down popular P2P network LimeWire. There will always be issues regarding piracy, copyright and legality issues when dealing with P2P networks.