[Night Stalker]

First to clear some FUD. p2p is just a method of transfering files (note the lack of description of type) from one machine to another. In this reguard, it is no different than FTP, TFTP, HTTP, UUCP (unix to unix copy), rcp, or any of a host of other file transfer protocols. It is not similar to protocols like telnet, ssh, rsh, or the like, because it does not allow a user connection to be established on the remote host (outsiders cannot run files). It is also a network topology (layout). It is made up of a number of loosely connected, distributed 'stars'. Each machine in the 'network' only knows of the existance of machines directly connected to it, but is able to query the entire network though this loose distribution. This eliminates the requirement for DNS and routers, as each machine in the network acts as a client/server/router/database.

As said previously, the network is just a tool, and has as many legitimate uses as illegit ones.

Timber ... the prices of CDs were rising conssiderably before 'file-sharing' became popular on the 'Net. p2p just happens to be an easy target for their over priced lawyers (no, I don't believe all lawyers are over priced) to go after, rather than considdering that they may be causes to their lagging sales. This is a topic of another debate though.

Yorick ... I know this is a hot button for you. Copyright and IP are competly differnt topics than p2p though. I do understand and share your concern, because I have similar ones with the software that I write. While I believe the artists definatly deserve to be paid, the industry has been abusing its customers - to the detriment of both the customers and the artists. But, anyway, there are legit uses of p2p - even downloading mp3s. There is alot of public domain stuff out there that is hard to get through other channels. Some artists even use p2p as their distribution method, rather than go through the industry hassle. To paint everyone that uses p2p with the same brush is just unfair. Calling everyone that uses p2p thieves is similar to calling all black people [insert racial epithet] or all Frenchman [insert nationalistic slur].