Peer-2-Peer networks

With peer to peer networks all users involved are able to directly access information from other computers attached to the network. They are less expensive and less complicated than client server networks but they may not have the same performance levels. When many people are using the networks at the same time there is the possibility that users will run into problems.
Peer to Peer internet computing is performed through the internet. Content from the internet is exchanged between users attached to the network. Not all of these uses are legal however. A major example would be the sharing of music files. In some cases, if the music is not copyright protected than it is legal, but in most cases, the music is protected by copyright and the downloading of these files is then unauthorized.
I have used these type of networks in downloading music, and eventually found out that it was illegal so I had to get rid of all of my downloads. Honestly, I don't see the huge problem in doing this, but either way because of recent government intervention in these kinds of activities, I quit doing it. I understand that it is copyright infringement, and that the music artist's are not being correctly credited with their music. However, this type of file sharing is a huge advantage for artists by spreading music and acquiring a fan base of those whom otherwise would never have indulged in their music. Cd's are expensive, and when you can access music for free than it allows for more of a variety of your taste. I'm sure other aspects of artists careers have flourished such as concert sales and merchandising, because although people can download their music for free, they can't get into a concert without paying for a ticket, and if they had never downloaded the artists music, they would never have wanted a ticket because they would not have had interest. The government is never going to be able to completely restrict these networks anyway, so why not embrace them?
The University of Delaware, tries to encourage students not to partake in these types of peer to peer internet networks. I believe they even provide alternative ways of downloading music that does not interfere with copyrights. If this could become universal than yes, it would be a much better way of obtaining music. If this is not a realistic goal though, than I don't see the extreme need for government to control these sites until they can provide a happy and efficient alternative.