BitTorrent goes to Hollywood
What is BitTorrent?
BitTorrent is an open-source peer-to-peer protocol designed for the transfer of large files. The central philosophy underlying BitTorrent is that users should upload data (or transmit outbound) simultaneously with their downloading (accepting data or receiving inbound), which maximizes network bandwidth efficiency. BitTorrent is designed to be more efficient and will work better if there are more people interested in a specific file. This technology allows users to download large files without being limited by a host’s bandwidth by using a peer-to-peer protocol.
Who is using it?
BitTorrent have been used to share files (movies, music, software, etc) illegally through the internet but the big companies are starting to see how powerful this technology is and they are starting to use it to speed up downloads.
Below is a list of some companies using it:
- Asus, one of the leading computer product manufacturers, has recently started to offer BitTorrent powered downloads to its customers. With BitTorrent the company says it can speed up downloads and get software to its customers in less time.
- Blizzard Entertainment is currently using a Blizzard Downloader that is based upon BitTorrent to distribute their online game and game patches.
- Even Warner Bros. uses the technology despite losing money through illegal downloads. They say: “If you can’t beat ‘em, get ‘em to the negotiating table”. That’s the sentiment behind the latest deal between movie studio Warner Brothers and BitTorrent. With the number of people sharing files illegally over the Internet still growing, movie studios and record labels are looking to convert scofflaws into paying customers. Under the deal, Warner Brothers is distributing and selling over 200 movies and TV programs through the file-sharing program BitTorrent.
There are many more companies using BitTorrent and this number will get much bigger in the next few years. Will yours be one of them?
- Marcelo
