Findings and a review of online forums

According to the research file sharing was performed by a large section of people and was not limited to a few. It is the mainstream activity and the sense of community around the file sharing was very little. Most of the participants of the research believed that file sharing was a mainstream activity and that it was greatest amongst the younger people. File sharing was considered as a normal method to access content by younger participants. Most of the participants were unaware about the file sharing process. Besides, many didn’t realise that when they use peer-to-peer file sharing sites they were allowing other people to share their files. Younger participants unconsciously upload contents without knowing that it is being performed. On the other hand, there are people who upload contents consciously. In this situation, people feels that allowing uploads will help them continue file sharing.

The tech-savvy users believed that uploading through peer-to-peer network enhances the downloading capacity. Except for those who involved with the contents strongly, others discouraged uploading of original contents. For different types of users, the restrictions varied. Awareness of illegal behaviour and the possible consequences ahead restricted beginners and less-tech savvy from file sharing. This need not necessarily be a deterrent for the tech savvy users. Clear and strong evidence of the potential consequence faced by peers are required by the tech savvy users and the dedicated file sharers.

Reviews of online forums
The review of online forums is categorized into the language used in the forums, concerns and anxiety about the online file sharing, debates on online copyright violation and the developments in the file sharing.

Language used in Forums
Difficult and instrumental language is mostly adopted in online file sharing forums by participants. Most of the participants required technical support and advices on file sharing. Forums were a way to find out the different forms of file sharing used by the people. Through online file sharing forums, people hoped for information-sharing. A talk to create a bond with other participants was rare. By giving comments on posts like “right on, spot on, and good point participants were acting as advocates of file sharing.

Participant’s avoided giving personal details like name of the city, location of the forum profile and so on. Participants were unclear in revealing their social identity or collective identity. Since, most of the forums adopted high technical vocabulary, those with lack of technical knowledge couldn’t include complete with the file sharing community. When help or advice was requested, some used an apologetic tone. Experienced file sharers reluctant from helping beginners and less experienced users.

Concerns about the security of online file sharing
Some of the users utilize the forums for information sharing about technical issues, different forms of file sharing while others use them for seeking advice and support on threats in file sharing activities. Threats are categorized into those from official anti-file sharing source such as British Recorded Music Industry (BPI), ACS:Law
3 other specialist intellectual property solicitors and university network administrators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and threats from other file sharers in the form of scams and viruses in downloaded files.

The threat to security came from within the community. Users complained that viruses were embedded in the files that were downloaded. Threat of being scammed by someone in the community was another concern. The main reason why participants occupied in the community was the need to report threats.

Debated around file sharing
The most talked about and discussed topic is regarding the ethicality of file sharing. Many considers the idea of file sharing as a crime while other reject the standard structure of online copyright infringement. People argue that file sharing is a crime and the justifications to it are given below.

1) Belief that most of the money is distributed to the film companies and record companies, instead to the artists.

2) Belief that Digital Rights Management (DRM) keeps limits on watching legal contents.

3). Lack of accessibility of content on legal download site

4) Conviction that the legal contents are very expensive.

5) Disbelief that IP rights could offer greatness for mankind

6) Doubt that IP rights are required to protect the works of artists and their works.

Developments of file sharing
This section covers the various new ways used in file sharing. Participants adopt different ways and diverse methods of file sharing. Traditional sharing methods such as IRC or news groups were revived to form the new methods. Various applications were used to disguise illegal downloading and unloading. The number of file sharing websites and applications are increasing and most of them are very successful. Cyberlockers are increasing rapidly.