The world's most notorious torrent service, The Pirate Bay, has received an update that allows users to stream films, TV shows and other peer-to-peer content directly through a web browser using the Torrents Time plugin. The move, which circumvents the need to download content via a torrent client such as BitTorrent or Transmission, instead runs the entire process with ease from browsers such as Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

The system is currently running in beta, which means that some bugs and quirks may still exist, but the streaming process remains simple and user-friendly.

Torrents Time, which is touting its service as a 'fully customisable BitTorrent client, advanced video player and downloads manager', is available for any website, meaning it is likely that it won't be long before other big-name platforms adopt the service. IBTimes UK recently reported on 'Netflix for pirates' service Popcorn Time using the plugin for its new Popcorn Time Online service. And as reported on TorrentFreak.com Torrentproject.se, Videomax.is and Online.porntime.ws are all to soon feature the functionality. Additionally, KickAssTorrents is also reportedly in the process of implementing the plugin.

"We are certain that in no time we'll be embedded in all torrent sites who care to move-on with this evolution," the Torrents Time team told TorrentFreak. "We will allow everybody to watch any movie they wish from torrent sites who embed us, when they want, without having to store someone's file on their hard disk. It's 'watching together' or 'co-watch' technology."

How does it work?

From an end-user perspective, the process is straightforward. Once a user clicks on the 'stream it' button now implemented into the Pirate Bay website, a pop-up window appears containing a video-streaming player. Clicking 'play' would bring up an advertisement for a virtual-private network, or VPN, product – this is how the service is making money at present. However, users can opt out of this if they choose to. At this point, the software uses so-called 'trackers' to find other peers with the required content. Once a number of peers have been found and enough content has been buffered, playback would start.

It's all very Netflix, and should no doubt be a major cause of concern for the numerous film companies and distributors that have frequently blamed torrent websites for breaking copyright laws.

The move towards streaming comes amid a crackdown on the likes of The Pirate Bay, KickassTorrents and Extra Torrent by service providers including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, Virgin Media, O2 and EE. Meanwhile Gottfrid Svartholm, a founding member The Pirate Bay, was recently released from prison after serving a three-year sentence on hacking, fraud and copyright charges.