Two decades ago, when the file-sharing boom was just getting started, many people saw piracy as a mystical treasure hunt.
At the time, record shops and video stores still dominated the street scene. That would soon be over, as offline entertainment swiftly moved online.
Instead of listening to a CD at a local store, people started to sample music from the convenience of their own homes. It could take a few hours for a download to complete, but for many, this anticipation was part of the excitement.
Supply and Demand
Despite the potential legal repercussions, it was instantly clear that millions of people were eager to consume pirated content. However, in order for the system to work, a steady supply of uploaders was also required.
Warez groups were already sharing pirated content in their own secretive ecosystems long before Napster and BitTorrent were invented but, when torrent sites took off, a new breed of uploaders began to emerge. These people curated pirated files and shared them publicly for the whole world to enjoy.
The Pirate Bay has always been a breeding ground for uploaders. Some have professional setups with automated bots, but many take a much more casual approach. Not much is known about these hobbyists but we were able to find one willing to share his views.
Vtwin88cube
The uploader in question is “vtwin88cube,” who shared his first torrent on The Pirate Bay in 2010, well over a decade ago. Like most uploaders he has his own niche, in his case specializing in high-quality music releases. As a former radio DJ, this isn’t a coincidence.
Vtwin88cube first heard about The Pirate Bay in the mid-2000s, still using a dial-up connection at the time. He was blown away by what the site offered and when the bandwidth constraints were sorted, a download spree began.
“Having been introduced to the biggest ‘Candy Store’ in the world was a life-changing experience for me. I started downloading MP3 music from the Bay. However, half of the time the tags were messed up or song titles were misspelled.
“I’m a former radio DJ and in radio stations, there’s little room for such inaccuracies. I thought to myself, I can do better, and decided to start uploading properly tagged music. It quickly grew into an addiction.”
3,000+ Uploads
From one moment to the next, Vtwin88cube progressed from basic user to Pirate Bay uploader. Back then everyone could sign up for an account so it wasn’t all that special. But it wasn’t a fluke either.
After more than a decade Vtwin88cube is still uploading FLAC music releases and he now has more than 3,000 uploads on record. These are not all albums he personally ripped. On the contrary, most uploads are recycled hard-to-find torrents he collected over the years.
It’s impossible to find out how many people downloaded the torrents, but it will easily be over a million, if not many more.
Like most uploaders, Vtwin88cube is well aware of the legal risks. Getting caught can lead to life-destroying legal trouble. Meanwhile, being an uploader doesn’t bring in any money, it only costs time and effort. So what does he get out of it?
Vtwin88cube says that he sees it as a way to help other people access music they may be unable to enjoy otherwise.
“I get a sense of satisfaction that maybe in some small way I’ve made someone’s life a little more enjoyable. TPB was and still is to some degree vital for people getting music. Times are tough, just because someone can’t afford to buy music, are they any less deserving? I don’t think so.”
The Green Skull
There are probably other motivations involved as well. After uploading for 12 years, Vtwin88cube is now considered a VIP uploader at The Pirate Bay. This is a ‘trusted’ status that comes with a green skull, which is shown on all uploads.
“I’m very proud of my VIP uploader status on TPB and other sites also,” Vtwin88cube says, noting that he also shares torrents on 1337x, Demonoid, Prostylex, and TorrentGalaxy.
Another major feather in the cap of Vtwin88cube is the fact that one of his releases was apparently downloaded at The Élysée Palace a few years ago. The Élysée is the official residence of the President of the French Republic.
“I’m also proud that former French President Sarkozy liked my FLAC rip of the Beach Boys- Greatest Hits – only the best quality will do for the Palace!” Vtwin88cube tells us.
The prolific music uploader has also spotted his work in other unusual places. In the renowned music database Musicbrainz, for example, his “The Very Best of Guns N’ Roses” compilation is listed as an official album release, complete with homemade album art.
A Family
These credits and the ability to ‘help’ others can be motivations to continue uploading, despite the risks. And perhaps there’s a third factor as well; a sense of belonging and the friendships that were formed along the way.
“I’ve developed numerous friendships with other VIP uploaders and crew members over the years, we’re a family.”
Vtwin88cube says that there’s a dedicated group of uploaders who stay in regular contact but not all people stick around. Some uploaders disappear without a trace and, sadly enough, there’s an obituary list as well.
“Occasionally, real-world family members will reach out on the forums or by PM letting us know that someone has passed away and won’t be uploading anymore. Usually the wife or children. Very sad indeed.”
As a seasoned uploader, Vtwin88cube has learned to take precautions in order to remain relatively anonymous. He uses a VPN to log in to the site and while seeding his torrents.
But copyright holders are not the only threat. Vtwin88cube also had his Pirate Bay account taken over by hackers who used it to upload German movies, likely scam-related. Eventually, he managed to get the account back with help from other TPB VIP uploaders, but it was a wake-up call for sure.
The Old Vessel That Keeps Sailing
In recent years The Pirate Bay has decayed somewhat. It is impossible to register new accounts and the comments have been closed. But many uploaders have remained loyal, including Vtwin88cube.
“TPB has definitely changed a lot over the years, she’s an old vessel with maintenance issues. The bilge pumps are running 24/7 keeping her afloat thanks to the tireless work of TPB crew.”
As the site has grown older, its uploaders have too. Vtwin88cube is no exception. His release output isn’t what it used to be but he says that stopping is not an option.
“My production output isn’t what it used to be for various reasons though. I’ve been on the verge of burnout for several years, but I hope to make it another decade!
“It’s my online family and the competition that keeps me going. I guess I’m trying to set a longevity record. The only thing that can make me stop is for the internet police to pry my keyboard from my cold dead hand!”
