James Delahunty
2 Mar 2006 7:13
BitTorrent, a company who's popularity results from million of file sharers' use of its software, is soon to open a legal video download site. BitTorrent spokeswoman Lily Lin said the company is now in talks with several content providers. "We want to aggregate video and other content and make it available in a legal and sanctioned area," says BitTorrent co-founder and president Ashwin Navin. The company doesn't give any details on what video will be available however.
One major advantage of an online store was pointed out by BitTorrent. "It's going to run the gamut because we don't have limited shelf space," Navin says. With millions of file sharers downloading movies using P2P networks or the BitTorrent software, it's time for the movie industry to offer a proper legal alternative that will be familiar to consumers. The use of BitTorrent to distribute movies has an advantage in that millions of people already understand it and use it regularly.
Of course, the company will have to ensure the MPAA and others that its service is secure and that their content will be adequately protected. The company believes it can find a solution that will be good for both sides. "The MPAA tells us that 650,000 movies are being downloaded every year, and nobody’s getting paid," Lin says. "We see P2P being utilized so that the publisher, the artist and the ISPs all get paid for the content."
Source:
Light Reading