BitTorrent (company)

Rainberry, Inc.,[1] formerly known as BitTorrent, Inc., is an American company that is responsible for the ongoing development of the BitTorrent peer-to-peer protocol, as well as the ongoing development of μTorrent and BitTorrent Mainline, two clients for that protocol. Files transferred using the BitTorrent protocol constitute a significant slice of all Internet traffic.[2] At its peak, 170 million people used the protocol every month, according to the company's website.[3] The company was founded on September 22, 2004 by Bram Cohen and Ashwin Navin. In 2018, the company was acquired by cryptocurrency startup TRON,[4] and Bram Cohen left the company.[5][6]

Rainberry, Inc.
Formerly
BitTorrent, Inc.
Private company
IndustryInternet Software & Services
Founded2004 (2004)
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, United States
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Products
  • Consumer Freeware
  • Content Delivery
  • Embedded Software
Number of employees
110 (2012)
ParentTRON Foundation
Websitebittorrent.com

Products
Main article: BitTorrent (software)

BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer computer program developed by Bram Cohen and BitTorrent, Inc. that is used for uploading and downloading files via the BitTorrent protocol. BitTorrent was the first client written for the protocol. It is often nicknamed Mainline by developers, denoting its official origins. Since version 6.0, the BitTorrent client has been a rebranded version of μTorrent. As a result, it is no longer open source and is currently available for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.

μTorrent
Main article: μTorrent

μTorrent (or uTorrent; commonly abbreviated as "μT" or "uT") is a freeware, closed source BitTorrent client owned by BitTorrent, Inc. It is the most widely used BitTorrent client outside China.

It is available for Microsoft Windows, Android and Mac OS X. A μTorrent Server is available for Linux. All versions are written in C++.[7]

On December 7, 2006, μTorrent was purchased by BitTorrent, Inc., as it was announced on their official forum.[8]

BitTorrent/μTorrent Pro

Pro is the name received by advanced versions, formerly branded Plus, of BitTorrent and μTorrent. These are premium versions of the Windows software with additional features that are downloaded and installed when the user upgrades for US$19.95.[9] Pre-sales for Plus were announced November 29, 2011 and the upgrade became available December 8, 2011.[10] A "Pro" version of uTorrent for Android also exists, for a lower initial price, though in-app purchases can take it over the cost of the desktop version.

When a user upgrades to the Pro version of BitTorrent or μTorrent they enable the following features:[11]

  • Anti-virus protection for acquired .torrent files
  • Integrated HD media player[12]
  • Transcoding capability with media codecs
  • Streaming playback while torrent is downloading[13]

BitTorrent Sync
Main article: Resilio Sync

BitTorrent Sync[14] is a peer-to-peer file synchronization tool running on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It can sync files between computers on a local network, or between remote users over the Internet.

The BitTorrent Sync pre-Alpha program, announced in January 2013, was opened to general users on April 23, 2013.[15] On November 23, 2013, BitTorrent announced the release of version 1.2 of the client along with a beta version of the BitTorrent Sync API.[16]

On June 1, 2016, product and team were spun out of BitTorrent Inc. as an independent company, Resilio Inc. which will continue development of the product under the name Resilio Sync.[17]

BitTorrent Bundle

The company has released "Bundles" with artists such as Linkin Park, Pixies, Public Enemy, and Madonna. The Madonna Bundle, entitled secretprojectrevolution, was released on September 24, 2013 and consisted of the 17-minute film of the same name, stills from the film, and an option for those users who submit their email addresses and make a donation that also includes HD and 2K versions of the film, a VICE interview, and a message from Madonna.[18]

On September 17, 2013, the company launched "BitTorrent Bundles for Publishers", an alpha program for content creators to distribute bundles of any size and file type using the BitTorrent client.[18] The first released bundle was the fantasy feature film "Overturn: Awakening of the Warrior" starring Ukrainian Vietnamese actor Ivan Doan[19]

On September 26, 2014, Thom Yorke released his album Tomorrow's Modern Boxes as the first paid Bundle, priced at US$6.00.[20] On October 3, 2014, it was announced that the project had been downloaded over 1 million times, which included the free single and video plus the paid downloads; sales numbers have not been released.[21]

On October 28, 2014, Alice in Chains released their music video for "Phantom Limb" via BitTorrent Bundle for free streaming and download. The bundle also included the video treatment and the shot list in PDF, as well as access to the band's merch.[22]

Other products and services

BitTorrent DNA

BitTorrent, Inc. also offers BitTorrent DNA (Delivery Network Accelerator),[23] a free content delivery service based on the BitTorrent protocol that allows content providers to distribute their content using the bandwidth of their users.

SoShare (beta)

On January 5, 2012, SoShare was released in alpha as "Share" within the μTorrent client, as a standalone desktop client and as a plug-in based web client.[24] On February 15, 2013, the SoShare beta was launched and repositioned as a user-friendly web application that uses the BitTorrent protocol, designed for creative industry professionals to share high-res photos, files and videos using the app's email system or public links.[25] From the official website, the service messages that registered users can send file bundles containing up to one terabyte of data per send, free.[26]

BitTorrent Live - Discontinued

BitTorrent Live was first announced in September 2011, and was first publicly tested on October 14, 2011.[27] BitTorrent premiered Live in public beta in March 2013.[28] The platform was used to showcase live streaming events of musical acts and DJs. [29] It was shut down in 2017.[30] In March 2019 it was announced that BitTorrent Live is going to return in the form of Snapchat-like social media app for Android and iOS.[31]

BitTorrent News

A live streaming news network based on BitTorrent Live that launched at the 2016 Republican National Convention.

BitTorrent Bleep - Discontinued

BitTorrent Bleep[32] was a multi-platform, peer-to-peer, serverless chat client available free on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.[33] Bleep was never officially discontinued, but as of August 2017 the website no longer exists,[34] the Windows application is no longer available to download from their website, or on the Google Play store,[35] the Bleep Blog hasn't been updated since August 2015,[36] and the Bleep forums no longer have any active moderators participating.[37]

Project Maelstrom - Discontinued

On December 10, 2014, BitTorrent announced Project Maelstrom,[38] a Chromium-based browser project that enables censorship-resistant distributed Web publishing by utilizing the BitTorrent and DHT protocols.[39] Initially, the project was run as a closed alpha, but was then opened as a public beta available for Windows only.[40] Although no official discontinue notice has been announced as of February 2017, the BitTorrent Inc. website no longer provides the browser for download, the last build has not been updated past Chromium version 44, and the last post by the project lead staff was on September 14, 2015.[41]

Licensing

Additionally, BitTorrent Inc. licenses its technology and brands to corporate customers only. The BitTorrent Software Development Kit (SDK) for Devices enables partners to integrate BitTorrent technology into their hardware products.[42]

Awards & recognitions

In April 2006, BitTorrent was selected as 2006 Red Herring 100 North America Finalist.[43]

In June 2007, the company received CNET’s 2007 Webware 100 Award.[44]

In June 2007, BitTorrent was the recipient of 2007 DCIA Innovator’s Award.[45]

In November 2007, BitTorrent received Streaming Media Readers’ Choice Award.[46]

In May 2010, BitTorrent was recognized as one of the "2010 Hottest San Francisco Companies" by Lead411.[47]

In February 2013, BitTorrent was listed among the top 50 "Most Innovative Companies 2013" by Fast Company, for "using its power to help artists who get it."[48]

Standards work

BitTorrent Inc. also promotes development of the BitTorrent protocol through R&D and open specifications. Protocol development discussions are hosted on http://www.bittorrent.org. BitTorrent Inc. also contributes through more broadly focused standards bodies like the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) at the LEDBAT working group.[49]

Partners

According to the company's website, BitTorrent Inc. has announced partnerships with many companies, including, for venture capital, Accel Partners and DCM, technology partners ESA Flash Components, NTL:Telewest, Opera Software, and device partners Buffalo Technology, D-Link, I-O Data, Marvell Semiconductors, Netgear, Planex Communications Inc., and QNAP Systems, Inc.[50][51]

See also

References
  1. "BitTorrent Inc. Changed Its Name to Rainberry - TorrentFreak". TorrentFreak. May 12, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  2. Perez, Sarah. "Netflix, HBO Streaming Video Traffic Increases As BitTorrent Declines". Techcrunch. AOL Inc. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  3. "THE INSIDE STORY OF BITTORRENT'S BIZARRE COLLAPSE". Wired. November 1, 2017.
  4. https://torrentfreak.com/bittorrent-inc-confirms-acquisition-by-tron-foundation-180724/
  5. "BitTorrent Inventor Bram Cohen Leaves BitTorrent Behind". TorrentFreak. August 19, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  6. Cohen, Bram (January 21, 2019). "I'm no longer in any way affiliated with BitTorrent and have never been affiliated with Tron or Justin Sun". @bramcohen. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
  7. "FAQ: How can μTorrent be so small and so fast?". BitTorrent, Inc. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  8. "BitTorrent Inc Buys uTorrent". TorrentFreak. December 7, 2006. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  9. "μTorrent Plus, μTorrent 3.1 (Free), and BitTorrent Plus…(and the Kitchen Sink) | The Official BitTorrent Blog". Blog.bittorrent.com. October 15, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  10. "uTorrent Plus Goes on Pre-Sale for $24.95". TorrentFreak. November 29, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  11. "Delivering the World's Content". BitTorrent. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  12. "Delivering the Worls's Content". BitTorrent. Archived from the original on November 8, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  13. "Introducing μTorrent Pro, now for $19.95 and including a Streaming beta". Blog.bittorrent.com. November 20, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2015.
  14. "Resilio: File Synchronization for Enterprise, Business & Individuals". Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on August 7, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2017.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. Protalinski, Emil (November 5, 2013). "With over 1 million users and 30PB synced, BitTorrent speeds up Sync, adds iPad support, and debuts an API". The Next Web. Archived from the original on January 25, 2014. Retrieved August 30, 2014. BitTorrent today announced the release of the BitTorrent Sync Beta API as well as version 1.2 of the client...
  17. "Important News about Sync".
  18. McGarry, Caitlin (September 17, 2013). "BitTorrent and Madonna join forces for free speech". TechHive. IDG Consumer & SMB. Retrieved September 23, 2013.
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  20. Gordon, Jeremy (September 26, 2014). "Thom Yorke Releases New Album Tomorrow's Modern Boxes Via BitTorrent". Pitchfork. Pitchfork. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
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  22. "See Alice in Chains' Dark, Haunting 'Phantom Limb' Video". Rolling Stone. October 28, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  23. Inc, BitTorrent. "Help - BitTorrent - Delivering the World's Content". Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  24. "BitTorrent takes on Dropbox with personal file sharing — Tech News and Analysis". Gigaom.com. January 5, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  25. "BitTorrent Sharpens Enterprise Focus, Launches SoShare To Send Large Files, Offering First Terabyte Free". techcrunch.com. February 15, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  26. "Resilio: File Synchronization for Enterprise, Business & Individuals". Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  27. "R&D Live Streaming Test Friday | The Official BitTorrent Blog". Blog.bittorrent.com. October 13, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  28. "BitTorrent Premieres New Live Streaming Platform". TorrentFreak. March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  29. "Join Us in the BitTorrent Live Studio with DJ Dragon Fly and VJ Kai | The Official BitTorrent Blog". Blog.bittorrent.com. January 4, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2012.
  30. Roettger, Janko (April 27, 2017). "BitTorrent Is Shutting Down Its Live TV Streaming Service (EXCLUSIVE)". variety.com. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
  31. "BitTorrent Live Returns as a Snapchat-like Social Media App - Slashdot". news.slashdot.org. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  32. Bleep. "Bleep by BitTorrent". Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  33. BitTorrent Blog. "bleep - The Official BitTorrent Blog". Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  34. Bleep. "Bleep by BitTorrent". Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  35. Google Play Store. "Bleep on Google Play". Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  36. BitTorrent Blog. "bleep - The Official BitTorrent Blog". Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  37. BitTorrent Forums. "BitTorrent Bleep - BitTorrent Forums". Retrieved August 12, 2017.
  38. Lunden , Ingrid (December 10, 2014). "BitTorrent Opens Alpha For Maelstrom, Its New, Distributed, Torrent-Based Web Browser". TechCrunch. AOL Inc. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  39. Van der Sar, Ernesto (April 19, 2015). "Beating Internet Censors With BitTorrent's Maelstrom Browser". TorrentFreak. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  40. Klinker, Eric (April 10, 2015). "Project Maelstrom Enters Beta". BitTorrent Inc. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  41. "robv Project Maelstrom Lead profile page". Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
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  45. "BitTorrent SDK for Next-Gen Devices". DCI. 18 (3). June 25, 2007. Archived from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  46. Schumacher-Rasmussen, Eric (November 2007). "The 2007 Streaming Media Readers' Choice Awards Winners". Streaming Media Magazine.
  47. "Lead411 - Leader in Sales and Marketing Intelligence". Archived from the original on October 17, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  48. "BitTorrent". Retrieved December 10, 2016.
  49. https://web.archive.org/web/20090710131810/http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/ledbat-charter.html
  50. Partners Archived June 9, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Bittorrent Inc.
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