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.
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.