Official BitTorrent Store: DOA with DRM

A recent comparison between an iTunes-purchased TV episode and a pirated copy showed that legit download services have a long way to go if companies want to keep users from gobbling up pirated wares. Early impressions of the official BitTorrent store are in, and this system also suffers from a rash of problems. Unsurprisingly, a lot of the issues are DRM-related, and they were predicted by BitTorrent creator Bram Cohen before the official store launched. Cohen in December:

"We're rolling out with some content DRM'd, using Windows DRM, at the insistence of our content partners. We're very concerned about the usability problems DRM introduces, and are educating our content partners about the lost commercial opportunity."

That education attempt apparently didn't go so well.

Update: Something not mentioned in the various impression reports we've seen is that the site now offers "free" games that are really just crippled demo versions provided by TryMedia (they're a division of our friends at Macrovision), some of which are infected with adware (screenshot).

We're not much for predictions, but we're going to go out on a limb here and guess that offering DRM-crippled video and adware soaked games isn't going to be a huge profit maker for Mr. Cohen and company. Users are going to take one look at this mess and head right back to less ethically concerned (and free) alternatives.

BitTorrent Entertainment Network falls on it's face

The recently released BitTorrent Entertainment Network promised to be a safe haven for digital downloaders everywhere. Unfortunately the new service was not met without a slew of problems.

Most of the problems stemmed after the consumer has already submitted his or her money for the digital content they wished to download. Early reports have shown that payment is received fast and easy, but when it comes to downloading files, people with PC's failed to be recognized by the service, yet people with Macintosh machines could browse perfectly. The problem with Mac users was that the files were not Mac-compatable and would have to be transferred to a PC to be viewed. Of course this is where the DRM practices come into play and quickly render the files utterly useless.

Not a great start for a noble venture. It seems that BitTorrent has their work cut out for them to ensure a secure and smooth ride for its consumers before people become frustrated and weary with the new service and decide to get their media elsewhere through less legal means.

BitTorrent Expands Library With New Launch

BitTorrent's latest partnership with MGM Studios has launched the BitTorrent Entertainment Network, a new comprehensive library of downloadable digital entertainment including full-length films, music videos and television shows. With the new network platform, users can not only download content from media giants 20th Century Fox, Lions Gate, MTV and Paramount but also from independent content creators.

"We're leveling the playing field for independent artists who have been turned away by publishers who are traditionally bound by scarce distribution alternatives and limited shelf space," said Ashwin Navin, president and co-founder of BitTorent via press release. "Our entertainment network is a true marketplace that embraces and welcomes contribution from the independents, allowing them to reach a vast user base with their high-quality creative expression."

BitTorrent currently offers consumers three choices for content, some free, some for rent and others for purchase. Movie rentals are either $2.99 or $3.99 depending on release date, while TV shows and music videos are download-to-own at $1.99.