Peer to Peer File Sharing

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Revision as of 03:40, 13 April 2009

Introduction

Peer to Peer File Sharing is a way of distrubuting information in a model different from the typical Client-Server methodology. In a Client-Server model, information is stored and retrieved from a centralized server. However, in a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) model, the information is available from many different sources and shared in an equal setting. Wherein a Client-Server model, information is requested by clients and processed by servers, nodes in an P2P environment act as both a receiver and distributor of information. The P2P model eliminates the need for a centralized server.

Image Credit: http://ask-leo.com/will_bittorrent_harm_my_computer.html

Brief History

In the late 1990's a phenomenon was brewing. The Internet was growing and file sharing over the Internet was growing just as fast. In 1998, Napster burst onto the scene allowing the masses the ability to share music across the globe. The Napster movement, and subsequent controversy, led to a flurry of other P2P applications being developed and used. Such applications have included KaZaa, Morpheus, and Limewire. Another famous application of Peer to Peer File Sharing is BitTorrent.

Controversy

The growth of the P2P community was not with out reproach. In fact, the story of Napster probably best relfects the Music industry's response to the sheer amount of file sharing that was copyrighted music. Major artists such as Dr. Dre and Metallica filed lawsuits against the company. Ultimately, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) filed a lawsuit against the company as well, eventually leading to Napster shutting down operations in late 2001.

BitTorrent has also been at the center of controversy; surpassing the usage of the original Napster, and delving into the sharing of other copyrighted works such as movies, and computer software.

Current State

Peer to Peer File Sharing has changed the music industry forever. Without Napster and BitTorrent, pay services like iTunes, would never exist in their current forms. The demand for electronic media was so proven by the popularity of shared music that corporations would have been irresponsible to not try to capitalize on it.

Peer to Peer File Sharing accounts for a large portion of all traffic on the Internet. With its increasingly popular usage, the sheer volume of data being shared at any given time is staggering. This large amount of traffic has caught the ire of many users and Internet Service Providers alike, as it is unknown how much strain is put on network resources exclusively by Peer to Peer File Sharing.

Corporate Response

Internet Service Providers (ISPs), such as Bell Canada have taken action to throttle P2P usage on their networks. Some believe that such a practice is in violation of the "free use" of the Internet and lawsuits have been filed. The case has been taken before the CRTC, and the ruling was in favour of Bell. A precedent, that can enable other ISPs to adopt similar policies and practices. While this is a controversial issue, it is also a complex one with may differing view points and judgment will not be made here.