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 through a variety of
storage, transmission, and distribution models and common methods of file
sharing incorporate 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 in and 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 authorization. Although the original Napster service was shut down by court order, it paved the
way for decentralized and semi-decentralised peer-to-peer file sharing networks
such as Gnutella, Gnutella2, eDonkey2000, the Kazaa network, and BitTorrent. Starting in the early 2000s, some file sharing networks and services —
including the original incarnations of MP3.com, Audiogalaxy, Napster, and
Morpheus — were accused of facilitating illegal file sharing and were shut
down due to litigation by groups such as the RIAA and MPAA. During the same
period, the fight against sharing also 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.
|