BitTorrent to Implement Paywall, Crowdfunding

SAN FRANCISCO — Eschewed by anti-piracy creatives in the mainstream and adult entertainment sectors alike, BitTorrent may be making a move towards a more fair financial exchange with its plans to implement crowdfunding and a paywall.

The peer-to-peer file-sharing giant doesn’t publically condone illegal piracy of music, movies or (presumably) porn, but has become almost synonymous with the practice. “People wrongly assume we’re about illegal file-sharing,” said Matt Mason, chief content officer for BitTorrent.

In a major move that could put BitTorrent’s money in artist’s mouths, BitTorrent is launching an in-house crowdfunding campaign that asks its tens of millions of users to pay $9.95 to help finance a new fiction series called “Children of the Machine” from independent film vet Marco Weber.

“I think of it as the perfect hybrid between Kickstarter and Netflix,” Weber told the New York Times.

Should sufficient funds be raised, the pilot will launch for free in December on BitTorrent. If about 250,000 users shell out the ten bucks, Weber will produce the entire series, which takes place in a global-warming ravaged hyper-technological near-future, and even integrates peer-to-peer technology references.

Even before “Children of the Machine” goes live, BitTorrent announced that it will be implementing in September a paywall for one of its “bundles,” or downloads used by a variety of artists to promote their work, often in exchange for just an email. BitTorrent explained that the first paywall will give users access to a yet-unnamed big-name musician’s download bundle.

“We all want to see new business models that reach audiences who are willing to reward creativity by paying a fair price,” said Ruth Vitale, executive director of CreativeFuture, an antipiracy coalition that includes both artists and companies.

However, Vitale remains skeptical, adding “If they are sincere about supporting creatives, BitTorrent needs to condemn the widespread misuse of the protocol it created.” 

To read more about BitTorrent's plans, click here.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Tiffani Time Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Newly crowned XMA Creator Awards Rising Clip Creator Tiffani Time stars with her husband Benfit and Jax Slayher in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint WIFEY.

Karmen Karma Stars in Latest From Ricky's Room

Karmen Karma stars in the latest release from Ricky's Room, titled "A Long Time Cumming."

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

Cubbi Thompson Makes Her Jules Jordan Debut

Cubbi Thompson has made her Jules Jordan debut alongside Lexington Steele in the studio's latest release.

Seth Gamble Drops Trailer for Upcoming Feature 'Once Upon a Time in the Valley'

Multi-XMAs winner Seth Gamble has released the trailer for his upcoming Wicked Pictures feature, "Once Upon a Time in the Valley."

Ryan Reid Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Ryan Reid stars with Damon Dice in “A Day in the Life,” from Brazzers.

Andylynn Payne Toplines Joey Silvera's 'Trans-Active 30'

Andylynn Payne headlines director Joey Silvera’s “Trans-Active 30” from Evil Angel.

Violet Myers, Megan Faith Star in Latest From Slayed

Reigning XMAs Premium Social Creator of the Year Violet Myers stars with Megan Faith in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint Slayed.

Coco Bae Returns to Brazzers

Coco Bae stars with Danny D. in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “The Cock Collector.”

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Show More