P2P file sharing is the distribution of digital information such as multi media platforms, audio, video files etc. It can be implemented and distributed by a variety of distribution models. Centralised file servers allow the world wide web to distribute peer to peer networking. Common file sharing applications such as Bit Torrent allow large files such as movies, computer applications and video games to be shared user to user.

 

There are a significant number of people who share files in a way that infringes the rights of copyright holders. This is a major controversial issue within the music industry, digital rights management is intended to curb copyright infringement by preventing file sharing but has proved unpopular with consumers due to the restrictive usage policies imposed.

Online file sharing is not always illegal, even if the items being shared are covered by copyright. Artists may choose to support freeware, shareware, anti-copyright or open sources and advocate the use of the sharing.

File sharing obviously comes with some risks, there are millions of viruses and spyware applications which can get downloaded when a user connects and downloads from a rogue network.

 

There is a very controversial issue surrounding the effect of online music sharing within the music industry and it is also difficult to determine. Music sales dropped globally since 1999 enormously and are still plummeting. However a study analyzing logs of downloads on file sharing networks such as Bit Torrent and Limewire have concluded that file sharing doesn’t actually have a negative effect on CD sales and could even slightly improve the sales of top albums.

 

 Seb Simone