So, I'm sure everyone's heard the news by now - how Bittorrent has struck a deal with the Hollywood big-wigs (namely Warner Bros.) so that they can distribute their TV shows and movies through BT's peer-to-peer system.

Sounds really cool, and is huge news for the video world, but there are a couple of points of concern here...

First, most people who use Bittorrent like the culture of "free." Sharing is free. Caring is free. We open up our computer ports so that we can connect with others freely. So what would the incentive be for us to open up our systems to file sharing content that we have to pay for? Would we get a kick-back from Warner Brothers?

Second, it seems unfair to pay the same amount we dish out for DVDs when we wouldn't get the same amount of content and when it's encased in DRM issues. With Bittorrent, Warner Bros doesn't have to pay for materials, packaging, or bandwidth - so why would we still have to pay the same price as a DVD? Again, especially when we're giving our bandwidth - for free?

Third, Bittorrent works on demand of content. So if I want to get, let's say "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and there are no seeders because nobody likes the movie, then I'm outta a good ice-cream and tissue paper movie night... Will they give us discounts for seeding long-term?

Seems this deal isn't so much about Bittorrent as it is about trying to prevent film piracy and looking cool while doing it with the "if you can't beat them join them" mentality. Except, I'm not sure if they get who "them" is.