There goes the neighborhood
It seems that Hollywood has finally noticed BitTorrent. In case you're unaware, BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing system that allows you to get high download speeds and low upload speeds by sharing upload bandwidth among all downloaders, many-to-one. (This works out best if people stick around uploading for a while after they've finished receiving the whole file.) This contrasts with most peer-to-peer file sharing systems, which share searches but actual file transfer is one-to-one. And BitTorrent doesn't handle searches at all.
Anyway, the story implies that those using BitTorrent to download movies may be the next lawsuit targets, since the protocol makes no attempt to make users anonymous. They even mention the popular torrent site SuprNova as a source for movies and such.
Of course, BitTorrent has plenty of legitimate non-infringing uses, just like VCRs.
Anyway, the story implies that those using BitTorrent to download movies may be the next lawsuit targets, since the protocol makes no attempt to make users anonymous. They even mention the popular torrent site SuprNova as a source for movies and such.
Of course, BitTorrent has plenty of legitimate non-infringing uses, just like VCRs.