File-Sharing Relationships – conflicts of interest in online gift-giving

This paper suggests a relationship model for describing, analyzing and foreseeing conflicts of interest in file-sharing networks. The model includes levels of relationship ranging from the individual (ego), to the small group of close peers (micro), to a larger network of acquaintances (meso) to the anonymous larger network (macro). It is argued that an important focal point for analysis of cooperation and conflict is situated in the relations between these levels. Three examples of conflicts from a studied file-sharing network are presented. Finally, the relationship model is discussed in terms of applicability to other domains, recreational as well as professional. Introduction and Background File-sharing applications, services, communities and networks have become increasingly popular during the past few years. Using digital media, computer networking, and computer-mediated communication to transfer digital goods is now an important part of many peoples’ lives. File-sharing is a contended practice and powerful actors (e.g. record companies etc.) are doing their best to suppress it. General attention has been directed towards the dubious nature of sharing services and user behavior (free-riding, copyright infringement et c). Our position here is however that there is little doubt that many users find the act of sharing fulfilling in itself. While certain ideologically motivated activities that are part of the current file-sharing culture (Giesler & Pohlmann, 2002) – such as “making stuff generally available” – violates current laws and various rights of ownership and redistribution it’s hardly the main motivation for most users. This suggests an