P2P

    File sharing is the transfer of digital media from one location to another. This comes in many forms, such as with file location servers like DropBox or Google Drive, sending media through emails or messenger. P2P file sharing enables this transfer of files using third party sites which allow uploading files and sharing the link for others to download said files. 

    According to Digital Pirates Winning Battle With Studios, “People have swapped illegal copies of songs, television shows, and movies on the Internet for years. The slow download process, often using a peer-to-peer technology called BitTorrent, required patience and a modicum of sophistication by users. Now, users do not even have to download. Using a search engine, anyone can find free copies of movies, still in theaters, in a matter of minutes.”

    P2P file-sharing can consist of personal property that is open for distribution, but it is more commonly used as a way to share media that is usually paid for or has other ownership. This includes music, movies, art, and other intellectual property. It gives consumers the ability to easily search for the digital media they want to consume without going through the official and legal channels. Someone is able to “leak” it to consumers and it’s so easy to access that many can be unaware of the illegality and ethics of what they’re consuming.