Daily Archives: September 18, 2013

BitTorrent is making its biggest move yet in its quest to become a legitimate source of legal content: partnering with Madonna.

The queen of pop is using BitTorrent to distribute her new film, secretprojectrevolution, for free beginning Sept. 24. Madonna co-directed the 17-minute movie with photographer Steven Klein in an effort to raise awareness about human rightsspecifically, free speech.

The film launches Madonnas online Art for Freedom project, a call for crowdsourced videos, songs, poems, and photos that protest oppression and persecutionhashtagged #artforfreedom, obviously. VICE Media will be curating the project.

Madonna fans can download the secretprojectrevolution Bundle on BitTorrent beginning Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. EST. The Bundle includes film trailers and stills, but if you go a step further and submit your e-mail or make a donation, you unlock the HD and 2K versions of the film, a VICE interview with Madonna, and a message from the star.

BitTorrents Bundles arent solely for celebrities, though the company has collaborated with Public Enemy, the Pixies, and Linkin Park on Bundles this year. BitTorrent on Tuesday also launched BitTorrent Bundles for Publishers, an alpha program that lets artists, musicians, writers, and other content creators distribute bundles of any size and file type using the BitTorrent client.

BitTorrent seems like a natural fit for Madonnas project with its emphasis on the open and democratic nature of technology. The company has been criticized for being a little too liberal in its content distribution policiespeer-to-peer file-sharing is often used to download pirated content, but BitTorrent has strived this year to establish itself as a legitimate publishing platform with high-profile music, film, and book partnerships.

BitTorrent wants to prove that its 170 million users will pay for quality content. Bundles could be the gateway for artists to publish, distribute, and perhaps even make some money by sharing tantalizing previews of their workand yes, some free contentwith fans.

Originally posted here:
BitTorrent and Madonna join forces for free speech

Posted: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 3:47 pm

Free Speech Wall held outside Old Main By Madison Baer | Collegian Staff Writer collegian.psu.edu

The Young Americans for Liberty held a Free Speech Wall at Old Main this afternoon to celebrate the 226th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

The Young Americans for Liberty are a national political organization that has chapters all across the country including one at Penn State. They stand by the principle of liberty and contain members from both ends of the political spectrum.

We are passing out free pocket Constitutions, and information about our organization here at Penn State, Jonathan Brandonisio (senior - psychology) said. We are also providing the Free Speech Wall for students to come and participate in recognizing the significance of Constitution Day.

The Free Speech Wall stood for all those passing by on campus with the question How much power should the government have?

Students were invited to come and write their responses in Sharpie to the question or any other thoughts they had on the wall. The responses from the students on campus varied from all lengths and views.

Penn State University Relations could not be initially reached for comment about the event.

Madison Baer can be reached at mcb5500@psu.edu or at (814) 865-1828. Follow her on Twitter at @MaddieCrossley.

Posted in Campus, Mobile on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 3:47 pm. | Tags: Young Americans For Liberty, Free Speech, Old Main, Us Constitution

Continued here:
Free Speech Wall held outside Old Main