BitTorrent is an open source, peer-to-peer protocol for
distributing files. It makes use of the upstream bandwidth of every
downloader to increase the speed and effectiveness of the
distribution as a whole. It provides a valuable service – but has
also attracted those who want to swap unauthorised copies of
movies.
In the meantime, and perhaps in the light of enforcement action
by the US movie industry against websites using BitTorrent for
illegal file-swapping, BitTorrent’s creator, Bram Cohen, has set up
a company that aims to use the software for the legal distribution
of films and other material online.
According to reports, this new venture is leading the company to
assess how others are using its name.
Speaking to CNET News.com, BitTorrent President Ashwin Navin
revealed that the firm was concerned.
"We're sensitive to people calling their software BitTorrent to
achieve a certain level of popularity in order to distribute
spyware and adware," he said.
BitTorrent is therefore setting up a new licensing programme,
which will require licensees to pay a ‘nominal’ fee and to submit
to a software review, designed to uphold the standards of the
BitTorrent software, he said.
First of these licensees will be browser firm Opera Software,
which announced on Monday that it had signed up to the
programme.
