The widening BitTorrent gulf

Filed in archive Analysis , Companies , Privacy & Security on March 8, 2006

µTorrent, a Bit Torrent P2P file sharing client developed by Ludvig Strigeus, released a software update with Protocol Encryption for total file security, and Peer Exchange to reduce server tracker demand.

µTorrent also has signed a deal with PeerFactor for software to support licensed content distribution.

Protocol Encryption drew a complaint from BitTorrent founder Bram Cohen. However such innovation is inevitable. New features are regularly being added both at the platform level, open to other supporting Bit Torrent clients, and within individual clients for only users with the same software.

It highlights the dual nature of BitTorrent as publisher of both the original P2P network specification and client software that competes with other software for that platform.

BitTorrent has established ties with the entertainment-industry that constrains its ability to innovate. Companies like azureus and µTorrent have no such restrictions and can directly serve consumer interests. The gulf between BitTorrent and its direct competitors will widen as they add features contrary to Hollywood interests, such as security, anonymity, and serverless searches and downloads.