BitTorrent bounces back from deathbed, finds unconventional ways to grow

[Sebi]

BitTorrent, the pathbreaking developer of data transfer technology that became widely used to share — and steal — copyrighted content on the Internet, stands strong after a tumultuous decade and may just be coming into its own.

Profitable, with more than 170 employees, the San Francisco company continues to develop new products. It is on the verge of turning on the money spigots for two popular free offerings: Bundles, a service for downloading music and video and Sync, its file sync and sharing service.

"We see nothing standing in our way," said BitTorrent CEO Eric Klinker. Klinker was promoted from CTO in 2008, when the company was in dire financial straits. "There is nothing that stops us from being one of the largest ideas on the Internet, and hopefully one of the largest companies behind those ideas."

Soon, BitTorrent plans to let Bundles artists sell content like music and films directly to fans, with the company keeping 10 percent. In the past, the company has generated advertising revenue for artists. More than 20,000 artists have distributed work through Bundles, which was introduced in 2011.

The move follows an experiment in September in which Thom Yorke of Radiohead used the channel to release an album for sale. BitTorrent Chief Content Officer Matt Mason said sales were substantial, though he would not provide numbers.

Last November, best-selling author Tim Ferris also used BitTorrent Bundles to give away sections and drafts from his book, "The 4-Hour Chef." Amazon.com purchased the book, which Barnes & Noble and many independent bookstores had declined to distribute.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2015/01/bittorrent-bounces-back-from-deathbed-finds.html

[piper]

Technology can never be stopped. It is like water. It always flows.