P2P File Sharing

File sharing is the transfer of data (in the form of files) from one computer to a different computer via a network,such as the Internet. File sharing can involve just about any type of file, from mp3 files of songs, to movies, documents and programs. P2P File sharing (short for peer to peer) is slightly different from ordinary file sharing; both computers transfer data/files through a network, but both computers contribute to the transfer. Since the introduction of torrents, all the computers involved in a single file share acquire different small parts of a whole file through the Internet and then share their files with the other computers until each computer has the entire file. Prior to torrenting software, one computer would host a file for other computers to download. The problem with this method of file sharing was the disparity in upload/download speeds- hosts (aka seeders) couldn't upload their files as fast as the downloaders (leechers) could download the file.

Although it is illegal and subject to punishment by the government, "pirating" movies, music and applications is an example of P2P file sharing. By using the file sharing services provided by Torrents, the Pirate Bay and others, people can acquire copyrighted files thanks to the efforts of "oneline pirates" who upload these files. According to Eric Pfanner, piracy "accounts for the loss of $20 billion a year in sales" in the American entertainment industry. Unfortunately for the entertainment industries, pirated movies and music provides convenient access to popular files at little to no cost for the average user.

Non-punishable examples of P2P file sharing include the transfer of non-copyrighted or user-made files via sites such as RapidShare and BitTorrent. It is my personal opinion that most P2P file sharing involves pirated/illegally obtained materials, but there are many other uses for P2P file sharing technologies that aren't often mentioned by the mass media.

Source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/13/technology/internet/13iht-piracy13.html