Bollywood Gambles on Kazaa
Sixty million Bollywood fans will soon be able to download full-length features with the file-sharing software Kazaa
Bollywood movie fans will soon be able to download full-length features with the file-sharing software Kazaa.
A deal struck between a partner of Sharman Networks Ltd, the company which owns Kazaa, and IndiaFM.com, a popular entertainment site, will allow Indian film producers to distribute movies, music and other large, rich media files online to an estimated 60 million international Kazaa users.
The move follows a pilot scheme in November when Bollywood thriller Supari was offered for sale at US$2.99 (£1.69) and promoted through Kazaa prior to its release in India. The file was designed to self destruct after being watched and could not be copied.
India's film industry, dominated by Bombay's Hindi-language hit factory, churns out about 1,000 features every year. This deal is expected to bypass the complicated and expensive film distribution system in the country.
But with internet users numbering only about 10 million out of India's population of a billion, it is the 20 million Indians overseas who will be the short-term beneficiaries this deal.
A deal struck between a partner of Sharman Networks Ltd, the company which owns Kazaa, and IndiaFM.com, a popular entertainment site, will allow Indian film producers to distribute movies, music and other large, rich media files online to an estimated 60 million international Kazaa users.
The move follows a pilot scheme in November when Bollywood thriller Supari was offered for sale at US$2.99 (£1.69) and promoted through Kazaa prior to its release in India. The file was designed to self destruct after being watched and could not be copied.
India's film industry, dominated by Bombay's Hindi-language hit factory, churns out about 1,000 features every year. This deal is expected to bypass the complicated and expensive film distribution system in the country.
But with internet users numbering only about 10 million out of India's population of a billion, it is the 20 million Indians overseas who will be the short-term beneficiaries this deal.
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