DJ Shadow has entered a partnership with BitTorrent to monetize from free file sharing. He has become the first artist to get revenue every time someone downloads his music for free from the site.

As part of the agreement, users of the site must install one of BitTorrent’s ad partnered media software such as Real Player to activate the artist cut. This is part of what BitTorrent called the Bundle, which comes from their advertising partner. Once the user accepts the software offer, the arts gets their share of the revenue.

Three mp3s from DJ Shadow’s forthcoming album, Hidden Transmissions from the MPC Era (1992-1996) will be available through BitTorrent. They premiered three tracks from American indie pop artist Chester French’s new album, Music 4 TNGRS, in a featured bundle with bonus material this past July.

In a statement, BitTorrent CEO Eric Klinker said this was the first step towards changing the image of torrent downloads from online piracy to sustainable business for content creators, and monetizing the torrent system.