There's a Reuters story out today claiming that bit torrent makes up over 1/3rd of global internet traffic. This is all a prelude to the MPAA announcing that they are set to follow in the RIAA's footsteps and begin suing filesharers. I guess they've decided the success the music industry is having is worth imatating(10). Thankfully, the article also discusses the legal uses for bit torrent.

"Almost any software that makes it easy to swap copyrighted files is ripe for a crackdown BitTorrent's turn at bat will definitely happen," said Harvard University associate law professor Jonathan Zittrain. "At least under U.S. law, it's a bit more difficult to find the makers liable as long as the software is capable of being used for innocent uses, which I think (BitTorrent) surely is."

Included, even, is a mention of Torrentocracy (though I'm only hosting the presidential debate audio, not the video). It's nice to have that in my back pocket once the lawsuits start flying. Keep it legal, keep it clean and you'll keep the old-world distributionistas scratching their heads. Just like Kerry (or was it Bush ... or is it both), they're an ostrich with their head in the sand. Come on guys, be the eagle. BE THE EAGLE.

As seen on slashdot.

By Gary Lerhaupt, 09:27 PM in general | Comments (2)  

I believe that BitTorrent is prime for legal uses. Soon we'll be launching our community system where staff and producers of local community media / cable access centers will share broadcastable and re-editing copies of their videos.

This is a good project you have going on here. I'm dying to try it out. What's the average price for building a decent MythTV box....

Posted by: DaniellKrawczyk at November 8, 2004 10:13 PM

I bought refurbished Dell Dimension 2400 with an 80GB drive and 512 ram for just about $500. Add another $100 or so for the Hauppauge capture card and you're set.

Posted by: Gary at November 9, 2004 12:16 AM