BitTorrent, the internet file-sharing technology that became notorious as a tool beloved of online pirates, is making another push towards legitimacy in a move that it suggests could make feature-length films play as smoothly over the web as short YouTube-style clips.

The BitTorrent software was created six years ago by Bram Cohen, a pioneer in “peer-to-peer” technology, where users’ computers are effectively made part of a potentially massive distribution network.

The technology allows users to download a single piece of digital content in several fragments from numerous sources — ranging from heavyweight corporate servers to the individual hard disks of any personal computers that have previously downloaded it.

Speedy and efficient, BitTorrent was quickly embraced by online bootleggers who used it to download illegal copies of copyrights videos and music tracks.

Today BitTorrent, alongside the rival gnutella system, is one of two key technologies used for sharing digital content online.

Since the spring, however, the system has made a concerted effort to transform its image.

In February, the privately owned BitTorrent opened an online video store at www.bittorrent.com to sell videos licensed from Hollywood studios.

This week the venture capital-backed company behind the system — also dubbed BitTorrent — revealed its first tie-up with a consumer website.

Brightcove, an online TV platform, will use a version of the software called BitTorrent DNA (or Delivery Network Accelerator), to distribute video over the internet.

Brightcove distributes video content over the web for groups including CBS Corp, News Corp, the parent company of Times Online, and Viacom.

Jeremy Allaire, the Brightcove chairman and chief executive officer, said: “Internet TV started with short videos on websites, but the next step is to move seamlessly from contextual video into full-screen, full-length programming.

“BitTorrent DNA addresses fundamental technology challenges associated with high-quality media delivery online, and by integrating it into a new offering in our internet TV service, we can give our content publishers the option to easily deliver full-screen, broadcast-quality streaming video to their viewers.”

Rob Enderle, of Enderle Group, the analysts, said: “This may simply be one of the few examples of the right technology at the right time as users increasingly are demanding larger media-rich files at increasing speeds while providers are looking to reduce their overheads and the cost of their services.”

The move comes as online bootlegging once again hits the headlines in the United States.

Last week a single mother made legal history by forcing America's biggest record companies into a costly and potentially embarrassing trial after she refused to agree an out-of-court settlement for alleged music piracy.

Jammie Thomas, a Native American from Minnesota, is one of 26,000 people whom the Recording Industry Association of America has sued over the past four years for alleged use of music "file-sharing" software.

But she is the first to refuse to settle and has forced the music industry into a trial that could set a legal precedent.

"I refuse to be bullied," she said. "I know that I did not do this, and the jury will hear that I did not do this."

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