Introduction/Abstract

iTorrent is essentially a fusion of iTunes and BitTorrent. It works by using a centralized BitTorrent client with the basic infrastructure of iTunes and the iTunes Store, which takes more of the burden of uploading files to customers off of the iTunes central server. This is beneficial in that it makes the process of uploading and downloading media faster and more efficient. Although customers will be charged to use iTorrent, there is an incentive system which makes it more user friendly. This incentive system will either provide monetary discounts for users who allow their files to be uploaded by other users or will involve a point system, which will provide users with iTunes credit in accordance with the amount of megabytes that they upload to fellow users. This will be something like $1 toward the iTunes store for every 10,000 megabytes uploaded. Although services like Napster have been held accountable for their clients' actions due to the RIAA and MPAA demanding that they share information about their clients with them, iTunes and therefore iTorrent had less of a claim to neutrality and would most likely not be handicapped by legal proceedings against it. Technically speaking, there are two possible models for combining BitTorrent capabilities with iTunes. One of these is to distribute movie files through current BitTorrent clients. This would work by way of people downloading files from their peers and subsequently acquiring a license from the iTunes Store to be allowed to play those files. The second way that iTorrent could work is by Apple incorporating a BitTorrent client framework of iTunes. It would be activated as iTunes opens and be used for iTunes-provided content only. iTunes would use a BitTorrent 'tracker' that would connect them to other users and begin to transfer files through an initiation with the iTunes store. There are a few areas of concern with iTorrent. One involves the robustness of the program. Apple would need to control the system and constantly maintain its quality, which could be difficult, especially with the first technical model. Any lack of quality would have to be made up by iTunes. Another possible road bump would be the necessity of a certain density of files on the network for necessary speed and connection stability. The central server would have to bear the burden for any lack of file density at first. Ethically speaking, the only possible area for concern with iTorrent would be the incentive system. Those same individuals in the entertainment industry who believe that all media should be purchased may be concerned with the fact that after accumulating a certain amount of discounts or points, users essentially are able to download selevted media for free. However, iTorrent would still maximize its profits through heavy use of the incentives that are provided.