BitTorrent serves up DNA

IF YOU VENTURE over to P2P leader BitTorrent’s website, starting today you’ll find a whole new section to the website. Hailed as: "the ideal solution for publishers seeking new ways to overcome the obstacles associated with centralized content delivery.”

It seems BitTorrent DNA is designed specifically for companies that use streaming video, large downloads, or games over the web.

The original client for BitTorrent DNA was the online video start-up Brightcove, which currently serves a number of larger companies such as Sony, Dow Jones, and Newsweek.

BitTorrent DNA will work by accelerating the delivery of video and files hosted on Brightcove’s platform. BitTorrent DNA will have its competition, however, especially from the CDN leader (Content Delivery Network) Akamai Technologies, which powers CBS’ video distribution network as well as others.

BitTorrent hopes that its fan base of some 150 million users will help sell the product, however. Additionally, P2P has become popular for streaming video with Joost and Babelgum sporting P2P technology.

BitTorrent will have the giant black flag of piracy looming over it for some time, however. While it is taking steps away from straight up P2P sharing, such as a digital download store announced in February, as well as alliances with Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, and Twentieth Century Fox Film, the piracy charge is still a problem for the company. BitTorrent DNA is yet another step, and could be a very good step in the right direction, only time will tell. µ