file sharing

Copying of digital files from one computer to another, usually over a network or the Internet. File sharing involves providing and/or receiving files and occurs either through a central server or directly between users. In many industries, the practice is controversial for its potential violation of copyright laws and intellectual property rights.

File sharing became widespread during the 1990s with the development of the Internet. While most businesses use file sharing so that employees and customers can access relevant data through a network, several industries have made attempts to regulate and limit file sharing of copyrighted material.

Peer-to-peer networks or P2Ps are a common form of file sharing in which users copy files directly from another computer using special software. Web-based sharing enables users to download and upload from a server. An early form of a P2P network was Napster, a file sharing service for music, which was widely used from its inception in 1999 until 2001, when it was issued an injunction against trading copyrighted music. Since then, the recording and film industries have developed technology to prevent file sharing of copyrighted material, although users are constantly developing ways to override these protections. Media services also use file sharing to their advantage to disseminate programming and marketing information.