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BitTorrent to Distribute Major Films, TV Shows Online

Nov 29, 2006  •  Post A Comment

BitTorrent, whose file-sharing technology has been used to pirate entertainment content on the Web, cut deals with 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures and MTV Networks to distribute their movies and television shows.

The agreements, which move BitTorrent closer to a legitimate business model, include TV programs such as Comedy Central’s “South Park,” Fox’s “Prison Break” and others.

The deal represents a major step by BitTorrent to reinvent itself, Napster style, as a service to legally distribute copyrighted content. The service is set to launch in February and will include free, download-to-own and download-to-rent features. That will make BitTorrent a new competitor for existing online distribution services such as iTunes, Amazon Unbox and AOL Video.