File sharing and the law

File sharing is when you send copies of digital files (like pictures, movies, or music) to other people over the internet. The law on file sharing is important because it tells us who owns certain digital files, and what we can do with them. Generally, it is illegal to share copies of copyrighted material (like a movie) without permission—this is called 'copyright infringement'. This means that, even if you are just sharing something with your friends, you may be breaking the law.