Challenges and directions for monitoring p2p file sharing networks or why my printer received a DMCA takedown notice

Abstract — We reverse engineer copyright enforcement in the popular BitTorrent file sharing network and find that a common approach for identifying infringing users is not conclusive. We describe simple techniques for im-plicating arbitrary network endpoints in illegal content sharing and demonstrate the effectiveness of these tech-niques experimentally, attracting real DMCA complaints for nonsense devices, e.g., IP printers and a wireless ac-cess point. We then step back and evaluate the challenges and possible future directions for pervasive monitoring in P2P file sharing networks.