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Popcorn Time

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Popcorn Time
Original author(s)Pochoclín ("Sebastian" et al.[1])
Developer(s)popcorn-org
Preview release
Beta 0.2.8.1 / March 27, 2014; 10 years ago (2014-03-27)
Repository
Written inHTML, JavaScript, CSS
Engine
  • NW.js
  • V8
  • Google Native Client
Edit this at Wikidata
Operating systemLinux, OS X, Windows
PlatformNode.js
Available in32 languages
TypeMovie streaming
LicenseGPL v3
Websitepopcorn-time.tv

Popcorn Time is a multi-platform, free and open source media player. The program is intended as a free alternative to subscription-based video streaming services such as Netflix. The program streams pirated films directly from YTS and other torrent trackers.

The program quickly received unexpectedly positive media attention, with some comparing it to Netflix due to its ease of use. Popcorn Time was abruptly taken down by its original developers on March 14, 2014, who said that they simply wanted to move away from the project rather than continually debate the legality of it. The Popcorn Time project was subsequently taken over by other developers.

Functionality

The Popcorn Time interface presents thumbnails and film titles in a manner very similar to Netflix. They can be searched, or browsed by genres and categories. When a user clicks one of the titles, the film is streamed via the bittorrent protocol.[2] As with other BitTorrent clients, Popcorn Time seeds the torrent to others in the bittorrent swarm.[3][4]

The legality of Popcorn Time is unclear; its website claimed that the software "might" be illegal depending on local laws, and its developers said that "Popcorn Time as a project is legal. We checked. Four Times."[5]

Development

Popcorn Time was originally developed "in a couple of weeks" by a group from Buenos Aires, Argentina who elected "Pochoclín" (derived from pochoclo = popcorn in Buenos Aires parlance) as their mascot. They believed that piracy was a "service problem" created by "an industry that portrays innovation as a threat to their antique recipe to collect value," and also argued that streaming providers were being given too many restrictions and forced to provide inconsistent service between countries, noting that streaming providers in their native Argentina "seem to believe that There's Something About Mary is a recent movie. That movie would be old enough to vote here."[5]

Made available for Linux, OS X, and Windows, Popcorn Time's source code is hosted on GitHub as an open source project; contributors localized the program into 32 languages.[5][6]

Reception

Popcorn Time became the subject of mainstream media attention for its ease of use, with PC magazine and CBS news calling Popcorn Time the Netflix for pirates, and noting its obvious advantages over Netflix such as the size of its library, and the recent selections available.[1][2] Caitlin Dewy of the Washington Post said Popcorn Time may have been an attempt to make the normally "sketchy" ecosystem of torrents more accessible by giving it a clean modern look and an easy-to-use interface.[7]

Discontinuation and rebirth

On March 14, 2014, Popcorn Time's website and GitHub repository was abruptly removed, with the developers stating that despite the unexpectedly positive media coverage that the software attracted, they simply wanted to move on, and that "our experiment has put us at the doors of endless debates about piracy and copyright, legal threats and the shady machinery that makes us feel in danger for doing what we love. And that’s not a battle we want a place in."[4][6][8]

The developers claimed that the majority of its users were those outside of the United States, and that it was "installed on every single country on Earth. Even the two that don’t have internet access," by users who would "risk fines, lawsuits and whatever consequences that may come just to be able to watch a recent movie in slippers. Just to get the kind of experience they deserve." They also praised media outlets for not antagonizing them in their coverage of Popcorn Time, and agreeing with their views that the movie industry was anti-consumer and too restrictive in regards to innovation.[5]

On March 16, Popcorn Time was released again by another group of developers on GitHub,[9][10] but it was taken down again on April 2.[11] Now isra17 the co-founder of Popcorn-Team states that he doesn't know why it was taken down and that he's waiting a reply from co-founder jduncanator who hasn't been heard from since.[12] isra17 has made another repository where he and other contributors will continue development.[13] Also a new website has been launched to support the new repository.[14]. Currently there are 2 groups that develop popcorn time. According to Torrent Freak[15] Time4Popcorn continues the development and claims to add mobile and chromecast support.

References

  1. ^ a b Misener, Dan. "Popcorn Time is like 'Netflix for pirates'". CBC News. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  2. ^ a b "'Popcorn Time' Is Like Netflix for Pirated Movies". PC Magazine. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Netflix-like torrenting app Popcorn Time disappears". Ars Technica. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Popcorn Time reinvents the seedy process of torrenting". Ars Technica. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  5. ^ a b c d "Goodbye Popcorn Time". Popcorn Time developers. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Popcorn Time Is Over: Potent Piracy App Quickly Calls It Quits". Time. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  7. ^ "How to easily watch any movie from your computer for free". Washington Post. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  8. ^ "Torrent Site Popcorn Time, Shut Down Yesterday, Is Alive Again". Gizmodo. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
  9. ^ Lee, Dave (17 March 2014). "'Netflix for piracy' Popcorn Time saved by fans". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  10. ^ Newman, Jared (17 March 2014). "It's Popcorn Time Again: Slick Movie Piracy App Bounces Back After Shutdown". TIME. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
  11. ^ http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/02/popcorn-time-has-gone-dark-again/
  12. ^ https://github.com/popcorn-org/popcorn-app/issues/117/
  13. ^ https://github.com/popcorn-org/popcorn-app/
  14. ^ http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/03/popcorn-time-has-a-new-home/
  15. ^ http://torrentfreak.com/popcorn-time-rivals-prep-tv-android-and-chromecast-support-140406/
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