Peer-to-peer file-sharing user numbers still growing
{{date|July 17, 2005}}

Statistics released by online media measurement company [http://www.bigchampagne.com BigChampagne] indicate that the average number of simultaneous, individual connections to file sharing networks has increased to around 9 million by June, 2005. This contrasts dramatically with an August, 2003 figure of just under 4 million users. 

The eDonkey network is a good example of file-sharing platform that has seen strong growth. Today [[w:eMule|eMule]], which connects and transfer files via eDonkey, had user numbers of more than 9 million at one time. One year ago the total number of eMule users barely reached 3 million.

Online file sharing reportedly includes the widespread distribution of unauthorized [[w:copyright|copyright]]ed content and continues despite civil prosecution of both users and developers of file-sharing software in the United States as well as criminal prosecutions in Europe and Hong Kong. [[w:Grokster|Grokster]] and [[w:StreamCast Networks|StreamCast Networks]] are two recent examples of companies targeted by legal prosecution in the [[w:Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]].

The Court ruled last month that companies who provide file-sharing software with the specific intent that it be used to violate copyright laws are liable for the actions of those who use the service to download copyrighted files.  

The Court's decision was widely misreported by the news media to have found file-sharing software illegal. However, the Court's finding was much narrower, introducing a new and murky "intent" test for determining the culpability of the software provider. Specifically, the Court held that "one who distributes a device with the object of  promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps taken to  foster infringement, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties." 

Few noncommercial programmers on open-source projects appear ready to quit over the Court's ruling, but they do discourage piracy talk on open forums. File sharing networks that work under a loosely formed open-source programming project, such as [[w:Shareaza|Shareaza]], could defy the definition of what is called a company.

==Related stories==
*{{wikinews|title=Police raid filesharing resources|date=December 21, 2004}}
*{{wikinews|title=Hong Kong Makes First File-Sharing Arrest|date=January 17, 2005}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5789087.html 
|title=Open-source P2P projects keep swapping 
|author=John Borland
|pub=ZD Net
|date= July 15, 2005 }}

*{{source|url=http://www.dailypennsylvanian.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/07/14/42d60431524cf 
|title=High court ruling a blow to peer-to-peer file sharing  
|author=Tommy Acchione
|pub=DailyPennsyvanian.com
|date= July 14, 2005 }}

*{{source|url=http://www.mp3newswire.net/stories/5002/p2p.html
|title=File Sharing Continues to Rise Approaching 9 Million Simultaneous Users
|author=Jon Newton 
|pub=mp3newswire
|date=July 12, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://p2pnet.net/story/5522
|title=p2p file sharing still rising
|author=
|pub=p2pnet
|date=July 11, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2005/tc20050629_2928_tc057.htm
|title=Ten Years of Chilled Innovation: 
|author=
|pub=Business_Week
|date= June 29, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/04pdf/04-480.pdf
|title=Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd. (US Supreme Court decision)
|author=Supreme Court of the United States
|pub=Supreme_Court
|date=June 27, 2005}}

{{Publish}}

{{PD-Article}}
 {{archive}}
[[Category:Internet]]
[[Category:P2P]]
Statistics released by online media measurement company  BigChampagne indicate that the average number of simultaneous, individual connections to file sharing networks has increased to around 9 million by June, 2005. This contrasts dramatically with an August, 2003 figure of just under 4 million users. 

The eDonkey network is a good example of file-sharing platform that has seen strong growth. Today eMule, which connects and transfer files via eDonkey, had user numbers of more than 9 million at one time. One year ago the total number of eMule users barely reached 3 million.

Online file sharing reportedly includes the widespread distribution of unauthorized copyrighted content and continues despite civil prosecution of both users and developers of file-sharing software in the United States as well as criminal prosecutions in Europe and Hong Kong. Grokster and StreamCast Networks are two recent examples of companies targeted by legal prosecution in the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Court ruled last month that companies who provide file-sharing software with the specific intent that it be used to violate copyright laws are liable for the actions of those who use the service to download copyrighted files.  

The Court's decision was widely misreported by the news media to have found file-sharing software illegal. However, the Court's finding was much narrower, introducing a new and murky "intent" test for determining the culpability of the software provider. Specifically, the Court held that "one who distributes a device with the object of  promoting its use to infringe copyright, as shown by clear expression or other affirmative steps taken to  foster infringement, is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties." 

Few noncommercial programmers on open-source projects appear ready to quit over the Court's ruling, but they do discourage piracy talk on open forums. File sharing networks that work under a loosely formed open-source programming project, such as Shareaza, could defy the definition of what is called a company.

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Internet P2P