Mechanisms for Understanding Participation in Online File Sharing

This study researches behavior associated with online file sharing activities. Specifically, a technology known as ‘Bittorrent’ is studied in an auto-observational technique and supported by information gained through forums and blogs to gain insight. The main research question the authors ask is: what are the factors and processes that facilitate an individual’s participation in online sharing of copyrighted files? They propose a social mechanism that concentrates on the actions of individuals leading up to and including their participation in a group file sharing activity. A higher level mechanism is then presented which links individual participation with exogenous forces. This research addresses a need for understanding the behaviors of those that choose to participate in online file sharing of copyrighted digital media. Further the proposal of mechanisms presented here may prove fruitful for use in studies beyond the context used here. Mechanisms for Understanding Participation in Online File Sharing