Peer-to-peer, file-sharing network

A peer-to-peer, file-sharing network is a group of computers, all running the same software application, that automatically connects users who wish to share data files with one another over the network. The software allows the sharing of data between users who do not know each other, are not in physical proximity to one another, and are using different types of computers.

Such a network does not depend upon a central computer server, such as existed in Napster, and makes it more difficult for copyright owners to locate infringing activities.