sharing as local area network service, see shared disk access. 'File sharing' is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally
stored information, such as computer programs, multi-media (audio, video),
documents, or electronic books. It may be implemented in a variety of storage,
transmission, and distribution models. Common methods are manual sharing using
removable media, centralized computer file server installations on computer
networks, World Wide Web-based hyperlinked documents, and the use of distributed
peer-to-peer (P2P) networking. File sharing is not of itself illegal. However, the increasing popularity of the
mp3 music format in the late 1990s led to the release and growth of Napster and
other software that aided the sharing of electronic files. This in practice led
to a huge growth in illegal file sharing: the sharing of copyright protected
files without permission. Although the original Napster service was shut down by court order, it paved the
way for decentralized peer-to-peer file sharing networks such as Gnutella,
Gnutella2, eDonkey2000, the now-defunct Kazaa network, and BitTorrent. Many file sharing networks and services, accused of facilitating illegal file
sharing, have been shut down due to litigation by groups such as the RIAA and
MPAA. During the early 2000s, the fight against copyright infringement expanded
into lawsuits against individual users of file sharing software. The economic impact of illegal file sharing on media industries is disputed.
Some studies conclude that unauthorized downloading of movies, music and
software is unequivocally damaging the economy, while other studies suggest file
sharing is not the primary cause of declines in sales. Illegal file sharing
remains widespread, with mixed public opinion about the morality of the
practice.
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