BitTorrent encourages Sony to release ‘The Interview’ on its alternative platform
File-sharing giant BitTorrent has suggested that Sony release "The Interview", a comedy that provoked one of the biggest hacking scandals in movie history — on its self-publishing platform.
The San Francisco-based company said on Friday that Sony could
start using its new alternative digital-distribution paygate for
artists, BitTorrent Bundle, where they can release material for a
fee. Among the most notable BitTorrent Bundle releases is The Act
Of Killing, an Oscar-nominated documentary account of mass murder
in 1960s Indonesia. The feature was downloaded over 3.5 million
times.
After hackers infiltrated Sony’s network in November and released
stolen data, threats were made against movie theaters that
planned to play “The Interview”, which features a plot to kill
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. On Thursday, Sony said the Seth
Rogen satirical film, scheduled to come out on Christmas Day,
would not be released, however. The next day the FBI stated that
the Kim Jong Un regime was responsible for the attack.
READ MORE: Obama chides Sony’s decision to nix film, says US must retaliate and pass cyber act
According to BitTorrent, it's a totally "safe and legal
way" for Sony to release "The Interview", with up to 20,000
creators and rights holders currently using the publishing
platform.
BitTorrent Director of Communications Christian Averil said in a
statement that its self-publishing platform is "the very best
way for Sony to take back control of their film, to not acquiesce
to terrorists threats, and to ensure a wide audience can view the
film safely."
"It would also strike a strong note for free speech," Averil
pointed out.
He said among the Bundle's obvious advantages was an opportunity
for Sony to set the price for its film and release it widely
"without implicating anyone or exposing any third party to a
terrorist threat."
Averil stressed that while some suggested that Sony should make
"The Interview" available through piracy sites, it's important
not to confuse piracy sites with torrent services.
"They are piracy sites that are wrongfully exploiting torrent
technology," he noted.
