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. The increasing popularity of the mp3 music format in the late 1990s led to the
release and growth of Napster and other software designed to aid in the sharing
of electronic files. Other popular networks include Gnutella, eDonkey2000, the
now-defunct Kazaa network, and BitTorrent. Many file sharing programs and services 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 on media industries is disputed; although publishers and
copyright holders claim economic damage, some studies have suggested that file
sharing is not the primary cause of declines in sales. File sharing remains
widespread, with mixed public opinion about the morality of the practice for
commercial material.
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