BitTorrent might be most (in)famous for developing the protocol responsible for a majority of file-sharing - legal or otherwise - on the Internet. However, BitTorrent Inc. has continued attempting to establish themselves as a fully legal entity, allowing artists and creators to distribute their content online easily and cheaply.

They've landed one of their biggest coups yet as Madonna's new art film secretprojectrevolution - co-directed by Steven Klein - will be released via BitTorrent next week. The torrent release will come with high-quality versions of the film, as well as a number of extras such as an interview with Madonna and a selection of film stills. The 17 minute long film is part of Art for Freedom, "an online initiative to further freedom of expression."

The release is part of BitTorrent Bundles - a new initiative that allows artists to release content via the peer-to-peer protocol. So far, BitTorrent have managed to attract the likes of PIXIES and Linkin Park to release content on the service, as well as a selection authors and filmmakers. The artists can choose to charge for the content via a fixed rate or donation, restrict it to users who enter their email addresses, or release it without any restrictions.

Few artists have yet monetised their BitTorrent offerings, instead releasing 'bonus' or promotional content via Bundles and sticking with traditional methods of distribution for full releases. However, some artists such as Sick of Sarah have released full albums via BitTorrent bundles. 

Whether legal BitTorrent releases can ever grow as prevalent as the illegal content shared online remains to be seen. High-profile supporters such as Madonna, though, could be the first step towards a new relevance for the company.

You can watch the secretprojectrevolution trailer below: