What is BearShare?
BearShare is a peer-to-peer file sharing application originally released in 2002 by Free Peers, Inc. It allows users to search, download, and share various files such as music, movies, games, and software over the internet without relying on a central server.
BearShare utilizes a decentralized network to locate files residing on other users' computers. When searching for files, it broadcasts search requests across this peer-to-peer network and displays results based on the files that other users have made available for sharing from their own machines.
Once a desired file is located, BearShare allows users to download the file directly from the computer where it is hosted rather than having to go through a central source. Downloading speeds depend on the connection speeds between the users as well as overall network traffic.
In addition to downloading files, BearShare gives users the option to share select files and folders from their own computers with the broader network. This allows them to contribute to the community and make their own media collections available for others to download.
Over the years, BearShare has faced some controversy regarding copyright infringement due to some users sharing copyrighted material without authorization. In response, BearShare has implemented filters and worked with media companies to address piracy concerns while still enabling legal file sharing.