Popcorn Time for the web is the 'Netflix for Pirates' that can't be killed

Popcorn Time has been dubbed "Netflix for pirates"

POPCORN TIME – dubbed the 'Netflix for Pirates' – is an illegal video on-demand service that streams high definition movies within your internet browser windows. And law enforcement are struggling to shut it down.

 

Despite the ongoing efforts of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the Popcorn Time website cannot be shutdown.

The 'Netflix for Pirates' streams thousands of films from within your browser window without any additional software required.

The MPAA shut the service down and seemingly put an end to illegal viewing.

At the time of writing, Popcorn Time has been renamed to Browser Popcorn and moved to a new home online. 

Popcorn Time has been taken offline on many occasions

Now retitled and in the hands of a new owner, Browser Popcorn faces closure at any time.

In the 100 hours following the rebranding the site has already been pulled down twice and had its domains relocated three times.

A webpage advertising the apps is also still live.

The site claims it offers “a whole new way to watch movies and TV” and makes its wares available across an assortment of different devices.

Software for PC, Mac, Linux and Android TV is currently available. Plus there’s an Android mobile app that allows movie-buffs to watch pirated material on the go.

Popcorn Time streams movies and TV shows direct from torrents. 

 

Sites such as Popcorn Time pose a threat to Netflix

So while a torrent file doesn’t contain the pirated booty it does include a map (of sorts) that identifies the locations of the content to be downloaded.

Once downloaded Popcorn Time offers the viewer all the functionality you’d expect from a legitimate video streaming service.

Video quality levels can be controlled and country-specific subtitles can be switched on or off.

 

The idea behind Popcorn Time comes from 15-year-old Milan Kragujevic.

Kragujevic has gone on record to say he's handed Browser Popcorn over to a "close friend for a time being until the dust settles, maybe permanently." 

Kragujevic maintains that although he’ll remain involved with the project he won’t be ”the one to fall when things become dire." 

As for the site’s new owner, he is believed to be 35 years old and ”a seasoned programmer” according to Kragujevic.