The GAO, or Government Accounting Office, provides the United States Congress with the tools it needs to research or investigate a wide range of topics for potential legislation. Its responsibilities include providing data, analysis and opinions on just about anything, including file-sharing.
On September 9, 2003, the GAO testified before the before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Their testimony centered on the proliferation and exposure of various types of detestable erotica to children.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Orrin G. Hatch, sent a follow-up letter to the GAO with several questions regarding the legitimacy of file-sharing networks. On November 14, 2003, the GOA responded with a surprisingly pro-P2P stance.
In the letter, Senator Orrin Hatch requested examples or data that demonstrated positive uses of P2P technology. The GAO provided several positive uses, 1) File-sharing, 2) Instant Messaging, 3) Distributed computing and 4) Collaboration applications, with examples for each. Interestingly, the GAO cited Kazaa and Napster, albeit only for its mere existence, as a positive use for file-sharing.
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