Microsoft has been granted a patent for a new type of DRM that works over p2p-style networks. By using public/private encryption keys, it could be used to reinvigorate p2p as a legitimate source of content. The patent explains, "Partial licenses are combinable to form a formal license that may be utilized to output the content."

The Pirate Bay we know and love, though still harboring torrents for now, is going away. But that doesn't mean BitTorrent is dead. Far from it.