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From Napster to BitTorrent: Why does file-sharing technology always find new ways to go?
Cybertheft, also known as online theft or software theft, is the unauthorized downloading and distribution of copyrighted works such as music, movies, or software. The history of this phenomenon can be traced to similar problems posed by the advent of the printing press. As technology advances, file sharing methods continue to evolve, and in the face of legal challenges, these technologies always seem to find new ways out.
According to Nathen Fisk, modern online theft can be traced to issues related to the rise of printing technology. Citing legal standards, he noted that many technologies historically have facilitated legal information sharing while also making copyright violations easier. This is a similar challenge that faced Britain in the early 20th century, when stationers tried to prevent the large-scale printing and distribution of illegal sheet music.
“The dual effect of technology has led to endless incidents of cyber theft.”
The spread of dial-up Internet access since the 1980s led to the formation of the first Warez distribution groups. With the further development of Internet communications, P2P file sharing software such as Napster was launched in 1999, which quickly triggered the online theft of music, movies and TV shows. Napster's impact is huge because it provides ordinary users with a convenient free music sharing platform.
Although Napster was short-lived and officially shut down in 2001, it opened the door for people to explore the gray area of content theft. With the end of Napster, rises like Limewire have learned the former’s lessons and operated via the decentralized Gnutella network. Subsequently, the success of the BitTorrent communication protocol gave birth to well-known file sharing programs such as μTorrent and Transmission.
All this indicates that the problem of digital theft not only affects individuals, but also has a wide-ranging impact on businesses and countries. In particular, the economic losses caused by the disparagement of the media and content industries are difficult to ignore. But the act of theft is more than just a crime. It also improves file-sharing technology and facilitates the spread of information.
"Digital theft is an ongoing problem, but it has also led to the creation of better file sharing technology."
According to relevant research, the economic losses caused by digital theft before 2000 were estimated to be as high as $265 billion. With theft increasing year by year, the United States alone loses $29.2 billion in revenue each year due to online theft. Operators and associates of stolen sites potentially earn revenue from a variety of sources including advertising, subscriptions, and content sales, which by definition violates the law.
Although many countries have established strict copyright laws, the nature of this behavior is more complicated due to personal differences in moral perceptions of theft. Many consumers believe that theft does not directly take anything specific from the creator, so they are more likely to view it as acceptable behavior.
With the development of technology and the diversification of online platforms, when consumers are faced with a variety of subscription services, many people choose more economical methods of theft. This trend reached its peak in 2023, with nearly 229 billion visits to theft-related sites on the Internet, and more and more people expressing frustration with legitimate platforms.
“As consumers face pressure to subscribe to services, theft appears to be becoming more common.”
All this has triggered calls for change in the industry, and companies need to work hard to adjust their business models to cater to market needs and consumer opinions. In fact, in some cases, theft prompts companies to respond quickly and improve the accessibility of content. For example, ABC TV's "Lost" in the United States accelerated the release time of its international version to prevent theft.
However, even so, digital theft is still an urgent problem that needs to be solved. Making good use of technology for reasonable use and protecting the rights of creators all require us to rethink ethics and law in the digital environment. Can we find an effective balance point that allows creators and consumers to reach a consensus and benefit together?
