P2P

File sharing allows digital media (programs, software, movies, music, photos, games, etc.) to be transferred from one computer over another through a network or the internet. Although file-sharing may not be illegal, the content users tend to share can be illegal and questionable. What had seemed to be a convenient way in transferring files have created loopholes that allows users to share copyrighted content, but at a cost. The infamous file sharing website Megaupload was shut down by the government because it was profiting from offering file transferring service of illegal pirated digital media.

A peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing is a network in which computer systems are connected to each other via the internet. Any type of file can be shared between these computer systems. Think of the P2P network as your home network connected through a modem and a router. Any user or device in that network can share files to any connected system. Each system can be a file server and a client. In other words, every system share the same responsibilities when data is processed. P2P file sharing is limited to what files users allow to share. P2P file sharing has led to the inevitable illegal software and music piracy. Piracy has caused the music, software and gaming industries to lose billions of downloads due to illegal distributed copyright content.

An example of P2P file sharing network is BitTorrent. BitTorrent is a program that allows many users to connect and download a file. According to Brian Stelter in a New York Times article, "people have swapped illegal copies of songs, television shows and movies on the Internet for years...peer-to-peer technology called BitTorrent, required patience and a modicum of sophistication by users" (Stelter, 2009). BitTorrent programs or client allows users to download through their protocol. The protocol enables and distributes the file across users that have downloaded or are in the process of downloading the file. The file breaks up into many small parts and unique part to this is that you do not need to full file in order to start sharing. Once you have the small part, you share it to others in the peer network. Tee torrent file is somewhat different in that it does not contain the file. Instead it contains directions to where you can find peers and seeders. BitTorrent has caused many profit losses and although there are actions being taken to mitigate illegal activity, there are far too many loopholes to take preventative measures. 

Stelter, B. (2009, February 4). Digital Pirates Winning Battle with Studios. Retrieved April 28, 2015, from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/business/media/05piracy.html?_r=0