While most companies seem to be moving away from DRM, BitTorrent has turned to the dark side. In an attempt to legitimize itself, BitTorrent has launched a new video streaming service called BitTorrent DNA. To convince Hollywood that its safe to work with the once "evil" BitTorrent, they've had to implement various layers of DRM.

BitTorrent, whose technology once was considered the very definition of peer-to-peer piracy, is moving toward legitimacy, cutting deals with Hollywood studios and licensed content distributors. On Tuesday, BitTorrent debuted its latest download tools on Brightcove, an Internet TV platform that serves up content for CBS, MTV, and the New York Times.

BitTorrent's DNA solution combines peer-to-peer delivery with the control of traditional content-delivery networks, with the latest offering allowing programmers to stream video programming in a full-screen, broadcast-quality format with "profound economic efficiencies and a dramatically better user experience," said Ashwin Navin, president and cofounder of BitTorrent. Navin said the new technology will improve download speeds by up to 50 percent.

Source: NewsFactor

Blu-ray backers have started to implement their own form of DRM. Unfortunately, it has already caused numorous problems for consumers as it has prevented Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer and The Day After Tomorrow from playing on certain Blu-ray Disc Players.

So what is the issue with these titles? Both make use of advanced features that utilize BD-J, the Java virtual machine that is part of the Blu-ray spec. Silver Surfer uses BD-J to add a more dubious "feature"—the BD+ copy protection that is layered on top of Blu-ray discs' existing AACS copy protection. While some have claimed that it is BD-J that is at fault and not BD+, the latter requires the former to operate (it runs in a Java virtual machine), and a quick perusal of what BD+ actually does indicates that it is quite likely the culprit. BD+ is being rushed out to titles only shortly after the spec was finalized, partly in response to hackers cracking the protection on AACS earlier this year. This wouldn't be the first time that extra layers of copy protection have harmed legitimate consumers: earlier this year Sony had to recall 20 DVD titles protected with ARccOS that caused problems on some DVD players.

Source: Ars Technica

Along with the launch of the Zune 2, Microsoft announced today that they will be adding more than 1 million DRM-Free MP3's to the Zune Marketplace that can be played with any digital media player.

The Zune Marketplace online store has been restocked and redesigned to make it even easier for people to find what they are looking for. The Zune software has also been completely redesigned with a new look and feel and lots of helpful new features. In addition to offering more than 3 million songs, the updated version of Zune Marketplace will launch with thousands of music videos for sale and over 1,000 of the top audio and video podcasts available for free. Consumers will also be able to choose from a selection of more than 1 million digital rights management (DRM)-free MP3s, which can be played with Zune or any other digital media player. A new, streamlined and highly visual layout makes it fun and easy to browse through the store, and a new integrated search feature gives consumers one view across the music, music videos and podcasts categories. By typing in an artist’s name or genre, users will see all relevant content that is either already in their collection or available in Zune Marketplace.

Source: Microsoft