BitTorrent delays videostore

Peer-to-peer application pushes back launch

By BEN FRITZ

BitTorrent, the company behind the Web's most popular peer-to-peer application, has pushed back the launch of its planned legit videostore to February while also unveiling content deals with several more studios and nets.

Netco has added Fox, Paramount, Lionsgate, the Viacom cable nets, Starz Media, G4, indie Palm Pictures and Japanese distrib Kadokawa Pictures to its library of content, which already includes pics and skeins from Warner Bros. and several other indies.

BitTorrent originally was aiming to launch its vidstore in fall, but delayed it in an effort to first build up its content library so that it can launch with as many titles as possible.

It's hoping to transition a portion of the huge number of visitors who come to the BitTorrent Web site, primarily in search of pirated content, to consumers of legal content.

Movies will be offered for online rental or download-to-own; episodes of TV shows will be sold for permanent download only.

Movie downloads on other Web sites, such as Guba and Movielink, haven't generated much business since launching earlier this year.

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