KickassTorrents

KickassTorrents, often abbreviated as KAT, was a popular website that facilitated peer-to-peer file sharing through the BitTorrent protocol. The site allowed users to upload and download torrent files, which are small data files containing metadata that enables the sharing of large files, such as movies, music, software, and games, over the internet. It was one of the most visited websites globally during its operational period.

The website's content was primarily user-generated, meaning users uploaded the torrent files themselves. This led to a vast and diverse library of content available for download. KickassTorrents operated by indexing torrent files and magnet links, rather than hosting the actual copyrighted content. Users would download the torrent file from KAT and then use a BitTorrent client to connect to other users sharing the file.

KickassTorrents faced numerous legal challenges and domain seizures by law enforcement agencies in various countries due to its association with copyright infringement. The site was known for its ability to consistently reappear on different domains after being shut down. In July 2016, the primary domain of KickassTorrents was seized by the U.S. government, and its founder, Artem Vaulin, was arrested. Following this, the website ceased to operate. Despite its closure, numerous mirror sites and clones emerged, though they were not officially affiliated with the original KickassTorrents. The site's popularity highlighted the persistent demand for content sharing via BitTorrent, as well as the ongoing legal battles surrounding copyright and online piracy.