Internet users traditionally reliant on BitTorrent to share and download files are now finding new file sharing alternatives. Recently published research revealed pirates prefer directly downloading material, if possible, with users now searching for direct download services.
Between Megavideo, Megaupload and Rapidshare, the three sites generated a massive 21 billion pageviews each year. Rapidshare, deemed one of the most "notorious piracy websites," plans to use political lobbying for its benefit in 2011.
Specifically, the new MarkMonitor report found 146 million page views each day for pirated content, which totals 53 billion page views per year. Physical downloads and streaming content viewed weren't calculated as part of the study, but show how popular these online portals are.
The current threat of Internet piracy has led to numerous misguided decisions that have rallied angered users.
As copyright groups continue to try and combat piracy, learning details about how and where users are downloading content can be valuable. The RIAA carried out an expensive, high-profile attempt to stifle P2P piracy by suing users and shutting down services -- except P2P piracy seemed to only accelerate.
It's an interesting battle between the copyright groups and torrent/file sharing sites, with expected legal battles and lawsuits on the horizon this year. If this study is accurate, and the copyright groups are paying attention, it's only a matter of time before more direct attention is focused on direct download sites.
Rapidshare, Megaupload and Mevagideo already are fighting against piracy, with Megaupload and Megavideo previously claiming they do not condone piracy.
