The phrase refers to platforms facilitating the peer-to-peer sharing of digital audio information, typically complete albums or collections, utilizing the BitTorrent protocol. An instance can be a web site providing a wide array of lossless audio codecs, simply searchable and supported by an lively group sustaining the integrity of the shared information.
Entry to intensive music libraries, together with uncommon or out-of-print recordings, is one potential benefit. Traditionally, such strategies have allowed customers to avoid geographical restrictions and discover numerous musical genres, though this has raised vital copyright considerations and contributed to debates surrounding mental property rights.