Torrents over HTTP
According to TorrentFreak, the Kickass torrent tracker has partnered with httpTorrents to directly deliver files without the need for a BitTorrent client. The httpTorrents service also offers streaming music tracks.
The torrent downloads will work in a similar manner to file hosting sites such as Rapidshare. Users will not be able to upload their own files, but will be able to download popular files being tracked on Kickass.
This service may prove useful for those behind firewalls, or for those who have ISPs that throttle peer-to-peer transfers. The service is currently in a beta testing stage, with around 4,000 files available.
When browsing through KickassTorrents, users can click on the ‘http download’ button to be offered a direct download. If the file is not available, it will be added to a request queue at httpTorrents. If the beta stage proves successful, the API will open to other torrent tracking sites.
Although the service will be available for all to use freely, in the future the number of simultaneous downloads may be limited. Premium accounts will be available to those who do not wish to have restrictions.
When questioned by TorrentFreak about the legal implications of hosting files on their own CDN, httpTorrents responded that they are not overly concerned, as they have a takedown policy in place to prevent them running into trouble.
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