As people become more familiar with the different technologies that are available because of the Internet, it is clear that more and more businesses and different forums for sharing files will become available to consumers, including websites like www.zshare.net, www.rapidshare.com, andwww.megaupload.com. Using these tools, people can upload and share pictures, music, videos and many more types of files. Peer to peer file sharing is an amazing way to both create new goods as distribute existing goods. There are many different organizations that are focusing on the legal and technological issues of these peer-to-peer networks. For instance, thePeer-to-Peer Foundation is attempting to increase the availability of peer-to-peer technologies, and “aim[s] to be a pluralist network to document, research, and promote peer to peer alternatives.”

Michel Bauwens is the founder of the Peer-to-Peer Foundation, and he strongly believes in the ability of people to create and innovate without incentives, such as being paid for one’s actions. Bauwens understands that people will be developing new innovations based on a personal interest and not necessarily on money or personal gain. In addition, due to the collapse of the world economy in late 2008, there are those who begin to wonder if the current economic system is the best possible one, and some people think that peer-to-peer sharing, free software movements, and information projects, such as Wikipedia, are the way of the future and a way to create a better and more secure world.

I believe that individuals will continue to create and develop even their creations are not covered by copyright. In fact, I believe that copyright is something that will hinder that ability of peer-to-peer networks to grow and will limit the growth of information that is freely available on the Internet. For example, the legal cases that have been brought against Napster in the past and The Pirate Bay more recently, in addition to others as well, demonstrate the issues relevant to file sharing networks. The ultimate goal of copyright protection should not be to limit the ability of individual users to get access to files or information they need. Copyright should be intended to protect those who have created from being abused by large groups or corporations. Thus, file sharing networks between individuals would grow and the there would be a mass of information available on the Internet in public domain.