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=**What is Peer to Peer (p2p) File Sharing?**=

Peer to peer file sharing is when files are shared between computers over a peer to peer network. Each computer has a portion of the files, disk space and workload to whatever they are sharing. There are many peer to peer networks out there. Programs such as Limeiwire and Utorrent utilize the Gnutella peer-to-peer network. Through these, people can share copyrighted music, movies and other media whithout paying for them. This practice is highly discouraged and record companies hate it.

**The role of p2p in Copyrights**
Music artists and record companies despise file sharing, because it allows people to download albums for free. Anybody can buy an album, copy the files online, and share them with people around the world. This results in large financial losses for these companies. The record companies and government have been targeting file sharing programs and networks for years. Thus, downloading music for free is negatively seen in public eye. However, p2p file sharing is not necessarily illegal. If two computers can legally share files, then it is perfectly fine for 3 or more computers to share files. The people who illegally use file sharing to download free, copyrighted media are the real culprits.



"P2p File Sharing Program | Piracy Network." //Piracy Network - Piracy News | Filesharing News | RIAA | MPAA//. Ed. Christian Gnoth. Piracy Network, 12 Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. [].

Stiernberg, Bonnie. "LimeWire Deemed Illegal, Shut Down :: Industry :: News :: Paste." //Paste Magazine :: The Best New Music,// //Movies, TV, Games, and Books :: Music and Movie News, Reviews, Features, Videos, MP3s and More//. Paste Magazine, 27 Oct. 2010. Web. 12 Jan. 2011. .