The Future of File Sharing

It is becoming increasingly clear that the recording and movie industries and various anti-piracy organizations have no intentions of stopping their seemingly relentless and arbitrary attacks on file sharing systems, websites, and users. Illegal file sharing as a whole seems unphased by their efforts, and is constantly gaining popularity. From what I understand, anti-piracy organizations use far more sinister (and often illegal) methods to combat file sharing than the targets of their tactics. Whether their strategy will be effective or not in the long run remains to be seen, but they don’t seem to be doing much good for either side at this point.

The “us against them” mentality we’ve adopted makes it difficult for these industries to adapt to new technologies like the Internet and file sharing. I’m not suggesting that they aren’t to blame for this catastrophic failure in keeping up with new technology, but I do think that the position they’re in now makes it difficult to change their business models.

I believe there are two types of users of file sharing networks; there are those that don’t intend to pay for what they’re downloading in the first place, and those that truly cannot find what they’re looking for legally. There really isn’t anything that can be done about the first group, they will always find a way to cheat the system – especially now that the vast majority of internet users are now aware of these networks, it is unfortunate, and a losing battle, but is reality nonetheless. The second group is still an audience sought by the industries in question, but at present their tactics just further alienate their potential clients.

As I see it, we have two options. We can either simply find a way to avoid getting caught, which I believe we are fully capable of doing, or we can make efforts to legitimize file sharing. This decision is one of morality, not technical prowess or legality. The simple question is: do artists, software developers, musicians, companies and studios deserve to be compensated for their work or not? I strongly believe in the former, and will make my best efforts to find a way to make our efficient and established file sharing systems a legitimate and legal means for people to get their entertainment, and I urge others at least consider doing the same, if not with me then by their own means.

Ersan (ersan191@gmail.com)
SysOp/Founder/Developer
SuperTorrents.org/STMusic.org