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BitTorrent co founder speaks about DRM

25 September 2006 6:35 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 7 comments

BitTorrent co founder Ashwin Navin has revealed his belief that DRM is not the answer to providing legal online video download services despite the fact that BitTorrent will launch its own DRM-based download service soon. He told this belief in an interview with IDG News Service and added that the only reason DRM is so widespread currently is that the industry is immature and doesn't yet know how else to protect its profit margins.

Navin believes that DRM is bad for consumers and content providers alike because it "typically ties a user to one hardware platform". He cited Apple's iTunes service as an example. Apple's DRM FairPlay restricts the use of iTunes music to the company's iPod players.

He believes that movie and TV show providers would not like to limit users in the same way because they want their content to be used by users on as many platforms as possible.

As a solution, he recommended advertising supported video download services that would offer content either at a low cost or for free much the same as regular TV, but over the Internet. He sees that as the possible future of video downloads and said BitTorrent hopes to "drive that evolution wherever we can."

BitTorrent will launch a download service in the U.S. later this year, followed by an International version next year.

Source:
Ars Technica

Permalink to this article

BitTorrent to launch store tomorrow (25 February 2007)

BitTorrent Inc. acquires uTorrent (7 December 2006)

Microsoft sues FairUse4WM (27 September 2006)

BitTorrent 4.20 released (22 June 2006)

BitTorrent to open video download store (2 March 2006)

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Pop_Smith (Senior Member) 25 September 2006 9:11
Quote: BitTorrent co founder Ashwin Navin has revealed his belief that DRM is not the answer to providing legal online video download services despite the fact that BitTorrent will launch its own DRM-based download service soon Although they are just trying to stay legal, doesn't this seem like the pot calling the kettle black? [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 25 September 2006 9:14
georgeluv (Member) 25 September 2006 20:09
my bet: in a few years time we wont even be talking about copy protection cause pircay will have won. because of this, hollywood, tv, and music companies will have no choise but to make content that IS ITSELF AN ADVERTISMENT! movies and tv shows will look more like a succesion of bilboards and product placement, with titles that include brands like PRADA and White Castle. popular music will be nothing but cheesy 3 minute jingles about new cars, name brand alcohalic beverages, and specific shoe modles. oh shit it already happened. did yall see how bad the product placement was in the last crop of HBO shows? nice armani sunglasses tony. [ + quote]
Chris1000 (Junior Member) 25 September 2006 21:22
I have to agree with Georgeluv. DRM has already failed, because anything I can find legally, I can also find ILLEGALLY on Rapidshare, torrents or direct downloads. Even things that were supposed to be done with 'unbreakable' Apple DRM, I have found. It's time for the movie, music, game, and tv companies to realize that the BEST thing that they can do is put commercials into downloaded items that people HAVE to watch. Then charge people for putting their product advertisements in those downloaded items. [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 26 September 2006 4:04
This founder is making torrents sound like a legit service for everyone to use. Don't get me wrong i love torrents, but justifying it is another thing. The only thing i like and agree with is how Apples Ipod is restrictive. I would have gone with creative if i didn't jump the gun. [ + quote]
Dlux427 (Member) 27 September 2006 11:59
LONG LIVE TORRENTS [ + quote]
Excel2005 (Junior Member) 27 September 2006 13:03
Right on. There's internet radio services as free as physical radio; why not extend this to other mediums as well? [ + quote]
BIG__J (Newbie) 2 October 2006 4:40
Torrents are legal boneheads. Its the copyrighted materials that you get that are illegal. Basically the software can be used for legal and illegal shit. That doesn't make it illegal. For example a gun, i can use it to kill you in cold blood or protect my family a house invader. [ + quote]