On Piracy

Grok Headline matches for On Piracy

Actual piracy on rise, response
orthagonal to RIAA's response to
"piracy"`

Actual piracy on rise, response
orthagonal to RIAA's response to
"piracy"` 01/27/2004 07:32 PM
Actual piracy is on the rise. That is to say, more people are boarding more ships with more guns and shooting more people and taking more cargo, all the while uttering more horrible cries of "ARRRRR."

Strangely, the shipping industry's response isn't to keelhaul passengers who don't tip well on ocean cruises, or to hull random pleasure boats, or to demand special bow-mounted lasers that vaporize any ship that gets within a hundred miles.

Around the world, more than 20 sailors are known to have been murdered by pirates last year.

Seventy are missing, presumed dead.

Other trends are also emerging: ships are now less likely to be hijacked for their cargo; attackers, possibly from militant groups, are seizing ships and ransoming their crew.

Link< /a>

piracy

piracy 06/25/2004 05:12 PM
McKinsey Quarterly Jun 25 2004 7:13PM GMT

FCC Cracks Down On TV Piracy

FCC Cracks Down On TV Piracy 11/05/2003 05:18 AM
CBS News Nov 5 2003 4:28AM ET

Piracy Paranoia

Piracy Paranoia 07/09/2004 01:12 PM
Fear and hope in a scare sheet from the movie industry.

Privacy vs. Piracy?

Privacy vs. Piracy? 03/14/2005 05:27 PM
The entertainment industry certainly loves to raid ISPs these days. Perhaps it's payback for all those recent court rulings saying that ISPs shouldn't just roll over and hand out private data every time the entertainment industry suspects wrongdoing. Last week, they raided an Austra lian ISP and a Swedish one. The Swedish one was with the help of authorities (the Australian one wasn't), but it was still organized by the entertainment industry. However, in raiding the ISP and carting away lots of info, some are wondering if the raid violated strict data privacy laws in that country. It certainly raises some interesting questions in the light of all of the many, many data leaks over the past couple of weeks. If your data happens to be stored on the same server as someone who is breaking the law, does that mean your data is open to review from private sources?

Piracy Protection?!

Piracy Protection?! 09/07/2004 03:36 AM
Many of us, including me, are the software developers. Many call ourselves 'indieware' developers. We develop software, formerly known as 'shareware', that allows people to download it, try it for some period of time (or with some features disabled), and, if the software looks and feels good, purchase it. After ...

The Piracy Pyramid

The Piracy Pyramid 01/03/2005 02:39 PM
Anathema, darknets, master rippers, and currys: The Shadow Internet. [via Volokh]

The Economics of Piracy

The Economics of Piracy 01/05/2004 11:35 PM

On Piracy, or, Nick Bradbury is an Amazing Idiot: This was written in response to Nick Bradbury's bit about piracy from yesterday.

...most people who pirate his software probably would never use it anyway, so they aren't costing him any money and they're providing him with free advertising.

This is a good point. I'm not defending piracy, but piracy costs a company money in only one instance: when a person who has the means and inclination to buy the software pirates it instead. I can get a pirated copy of Oracle, but that doesn't mean I've cost that company money, because if I couldn't pirate it, I wouldn't buy it — I'd use something cheaper or free.

Now, there are holes in this theory, of course, because if true, it essentially means that poor people can pirate anything they want because they couldn't or wouldn't buy it otherwise. But I get annoyed when Microsoft claims that piracy costs it untold billions of dollars a year. This is a little arrogant. Microsoft is basically saying that every single person who pirated their software would have paid full price for it if piracy wasn't an option.

This is patently ridiculous and Microsoft knows it, but big numbers make big headlines. If Office was suddenly un-piratable, would Microsoft reap a billion-dollar windfall from would-be thieves? Nope — Open Office would just saturate the market in a big hurry. When the only options are paying for it or finding a much cheaper alternative, 99% of pirates will choose the latter.

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Software piracy on the up

Software piracy on the up 07/12/2004 10:48 PM
Sunday Times South Africa Jul 13 2004 3:09AM GMT

Pre-empting piracy

Pre-empting piracy 06/12/2004 12:00 AM
USA Today Jun 12 2004 3:06AM GMT

piracy messages

piracy messages 06/05/2004 04:32 AM
a picture of the piracy-warning before the movie starts .. Gallery of movie copyright warnings .. Anti-copyright warnings in films

monochrom.at/piracy
track this site | 5 links

Piracy Works

Piracy Works 06/22/2005 02:20 AM

The end of DIRECTV piracy?

The end of DIRECTV piracy? 04/15/2004 09:03 AM
The sky is falling! [some links require reg] The years of hacking DIRECTV's signal and pirating its program offerings seem to be coming to an end.

Kids on Piracy

Kids on Piracy 01/07/2004 04:35 PM

In response to Nick Bradbury's post on piracy, Aaron Swartz writes:

Nick has no innate right to have people pay for his software, just as I have no right to ask people to pay for use of my name.

Even if he did, most people who pirate his software probably would never use it anyway, so they aren't costing him any money and they're providing him with free advertising.

And of course it makes sense that lots of people who see some interesting new program available for free from a site they're already at will download it and try it out once, just as more people will read an article I wrote in the New York Times than on my weblog.

And what's this nonsense about warez sites only having shareware stuff and not stuff from Microsoft. In my experience with the biggest, easiest-to-use things, the opposite is true (tons of BigCo software, very little shareware).

And while it's true that EXEs can often do anything (because modern OSes don't have basic security protections like chroot, which has been in UNIX for decades), this is true of all software not just warez.

Yes, piracy probably does take some sales away from Nick, but I doubt it's very many. If Nick wants to sell more software, maybe he should start by not screaming at his potential customers. What's next? Yelling at people who use his software on friends computers? Or at the library?

Aaron then wrote these series of comments in response to Schoolblo g's post that agrees with Nick's view:

Chris is arguing what’s known as the sweat-of-the-brow theory of intellectual monopolies: someone who puts work into something deserves to control how it is used.

Taken to its extreme, this probably results in things you disagree with. (Michael Jackson has put a lot of money and work into his face. Can he charge people who distribute pictures of it? A newspaper reporter puts a lot of work into discovering a story. Can he charge people who repeat it.) And certainly, in the specific case of copyright, if Chris’s world was in place we’d have no libraries or video stores, and all the books at bookstores would be shrink-wrapped or behind glass.

By Nick’s reasoning, everyone who rents a movie from a video store or takes a book out of the library is a pirate, because they cost the author one potential sale (in the US, authors don’t get paid anything for library or video store rentals).

Chris, do you feel authors have a right to keep their book out of libraries? They worked hard on their book, shouldn’t they get to make the terms of use? If you don’t, how do you distinguish libraries from downloads? (It’s true that libraries don’t usually involve copies, but this is a practical distinction — quibbles like that don’t see like they’d interfere with a strong right.)

I spend months researching an important story. Finally, after great lengths, I confirm that Nixon’s team funded Watergate break-in, and I provide a chain of evidence to prove it. You run a rival newspaper and you verify all the evidence with your own eyes. Can you publish the story as well? I put a lot of work into that story, I don’t want you to copy it, even if you give me credit.

The fact that video rental stores are legal while peer-to-peer systems aren’t is an accident of law and technology. The law regulated copying while the computer systems required copies to do everything. If we had built our networks with superfast pnuematic tubes instead of wires, we could whisk CDs across them to share with others without violating the law at all. It’s hard to believe one system could be moral and the other not, simply because of this technological accident.

The fact is that there is no such morality behind copyright. Copyright is a recent invention, which originally only touched commercial publishers (of which there aren’t very many). This idea of their being some moral reason for it is even more recent. You won’t find it in any religion, or any old culture. It’s a silly idea, and it goes against our nature to share and build upon each other’s work.

What’s the moral problem with me downloading Nick’s software when there was no chance of me buying it? I get the software, Nick doesn’t lose any money and possibly gets some free advertising. It seems everyone is better off; how could this be immoral?

Yup.  That's how smart kids of 21st century thinks.  What a shame.

Aside from the lost profit and firmness of the moral ground piracy stands on, piracy undermines the soul of our young.  When you do something others consider bad, you start a ball of self-justification rolling so you can sleep at night.  So what if I burnt a house down?  No one got hurt!

Let this bullshit go on and, before you know it, the only acceptable answer to “Why can't I drive your car when you are not using it?“ will be an Uzi.

On Piracy, Part II

On Piracy, Part II 01/05/2004 03:01 PM

Looks like my rant about software piracy has generated some thoughtful feedback, some of which is listed in the post's t rackbacks. My apologies for not enabling comments for these posts, but unfortunately a recent flood of comment spam has made comments impossible for me to manage.

One thing mentioned in several responses is that people who steal my software wouldn't necessarily have bought it in the first place. This seems such an obvious statement that I didn't bother mentioning it, but perhaps I should have. So, for the record, I'm certain that the majority of people who use pirated versions of TopStyle would never have purchased it. Almost anything that costs money will be used by more people if they can get it for free.

But even so, this still costs me. My support newsgroups contain countless messages from people who have been asking me questions for years, yet have never purchased a copy. Given that the TopStyle trial version expires after 20 uses, you have think something's fishy there. And you'd be amazed by the number of support emails I get from people who admit that they're using a stolen copy, but still expect me to offer them support.

Perhaps more importantly, you need to consider how these pirated copies are obtained in the first place. While some pirated copies are cracks of the trial version, in other cases people use a stolen credit card number to purchase a copy of TopStyle, then once they download the registered version they post it on some warez site. This results in a chargeback fee from the credit card company - which comes out of my pocket.

Another common argument is that software isn't a physical product, so it has no real value and therefore nothing is lost when someone uses a stolen copy. Uhmmm...look, anyone who is tied to physical objects as the only things with monetary value is flat-out unprepared for the Internet and should stay offline.

Okay, that's enough ranting for now. My purpose with these posts is not to browbeat anyone, but instead to offer an inside view of what piracy really is. All too often the only people commenting on piracy are the pirates themselves or the lawyers protecting large corporations, so I thought I'd share how piracy affects someone like me. Despite my sour attitude regarding piracy and the lack of ethics among those who use warez, I'm still heartened that there are enough honest people to enable small developers to earn a nice living. I love what I do, and if you're among those who has purchased my software and enabled me to keep creating it, then I owe you a great deal of thanks.

Google advertising piracy?

Google advertising piracy? 08/05/2004 12:42 PM
Open eyed Neowin readers managed to snap a very interesting shot of the front page this week; no, not another impressive exclusive, but a advert. Neowin 'sub-contracts' it's advertising requirements to search giant Google and its program, Google Adsense. Widely used and widely regarded as getting the online advertising industry back on its feet, the program has seen large adoption and sucess in the online community.

What was so interesting about the advert was that it appeared to be advertising a link to a pirated copy of Doom III, the soon to be released game from ID Software. The link took readers a notorious software and film piracy site, Suprnova. Suprnova provides a centralised base for tracking torrents, or files often illegally hosted on the bit-torrent protocol.

Google claims to "uphold the quality and reputation of Google AdSense, all publishers who apply are reviewed according to these program policies", and says that sites that "promotes illegal activity" are not allowed into the program. Or not!

Neowin was unable to get a response from Google for comment. One would hope that in future the program would take more time reviewing the adwords accepted, and certainly not leave the job to a computer to do. Illegally issued shares might not be the only misdemeanour Google's committed of late.

View: Google Ads
Screenshot: The incriminating ad | Discussion
Screenshot: Neowin not the only one? - Amazon Shot

Read full story...

Software Piracy Seen as Normal

Software Piracy Seen as Normal 06/24/2005 05:43 PM
Slashdot Jun 24 2005 12:29PM GMT

Arrest over Spider-Man piracy bid

Arrest over Spider-Man piracy bid 07/01/2004 08:37 AM
A teenager in California is arrested after he is spotted allegedly recording Spider-Man 2 on a camcorder.

Classic Anti-Piracy

Classic Anti-Piracy 08/30/2004 06:52 AM

I had to laugh so how little things have changed just the technology. [worldo fstuart.excellentcontent.com/antipiracy.htm]

Is There A Difference Between Piracy And
Promotion?

Is There A Difference Between Piracy And
Promotion? 08/10/2004 03:43 PM
Nearly two years ago, we wrote about a piece by Larry Lessig looking at how the comic industry in Japan was thriving based on copycat comics that would normally be seen as infringing works in the US, forcing entertainment industry lawyers to shut down these fan-created efforts. In something of a followup to that piece, Henry Jenkins has written about how so-called "piracy" has been a huge help in making Japanese anime popular and commercially viable in the US. Clearly, the easy distribution of digital content has different effects -- some of which are beneficial and some of which are harmful -- for the creators of that content. By assuming that only one of these effects exist, companies that are cracking down on "piracy" without realizing they may be hurting free promotional activity are doing damage to their own business.

Norwegian cleared of DVD piracy

Norwegian cleared of DVD piracy 12/22/2003 11:22 AM
CNET Dec 22 2003 10:03AM ET

Microsoft Piracy Wizard

Microsoft Piracy Wizard 07/01/2004 03:52 AM
Select a product below and specify the method by which you acquired it. Products acquired via retail purchase always come as individually boxed products. Products acquired with the purchase of a new PC will have different anti-piracy features than retail products. A Volume License acquired from an Authorized Reseller comes with fullfilment media containing a unique set of anti-piracy features

John Locke on Piracy?

John Locke on Piracy? 01/07/2004 04:30 PM

Adam Gessaman channels John Locke in t his well-reasoned argument against piracy.

Want to know a reason piracy will never
be contained

Want to know a reason piracy will never
be contained 04/20/2004 03:15 AM
If you have traveled to any 3rd world country you will realize immediately why piracy will never be contained and...

Microsoft reverses SP2 course on piracy

Microsoft reverses SP2 course on piracy 05/11/2004 12:10 PM
ZDNet May 11 2004 2:33PM GMT

New way to combat online piracy

New way to combat online piracy 05/17/2004 02:55 PM
CNET May 17 2004 6:23PM GMT

Studios Sue Retailer for Piracy (AP)

Studios Sue Retailer for Piracy (AP) 05/30/2004 10:10 PM
AP - Two Hollywood movie studios have sued an online retailer, accusing Technology One of defiantly selling DVD-copying software previously barred by two federal courts.

Studios sue retailer for piracy

Studios sue retailer for piracy 05/30/2004 11:23 PM
AP via New Jersey Online May 31 2004 3:27AM GMT

The answer to video piracy... not quite.

The answer to video piracy... not quite. 01/16/2004 01:00 PM
While technology offers myriad promises, it also beckons us to recreate the wheel from time to time.

The piracy police are out to annoy
you...

The piracy police are out to annoy
you... 06/17/2004 01:33 PM
Fed up with anti-piracy warnings in your local cinema? Why not take a picture?

file sharing = piracy? Not really.

file sharing = piracy? Not really. 01/16/2004 11:27 AM

An interesting Salon article: Is the war on file sharing over?:

If one is willing to believe the happy talk from music business executives, the tide has finally turned against file sharing, thanks to the get-tough tactics employed by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Last fall, the RIAA began filing lawsuits against individual users of peer-to-peer trading sites, and the strategy, the RIAA says now, has paid off. The group is careful not to declare a final victory over file trading, but things are finally beginning to look up for a business long in decline, say industry representatives. After years of scoffing at copyright laws, Americans are finally beginning to understand the gravity of file trading's offense against copyright.

The article is interesting. But what I find most interesting is this automatic alignment that is made in the media discourse between file sharing and piracy. There are many, many uses other than those the RIAA defines as illegitimate for file sharing (note, I am not saying anonymous file sharing, although there worthy uses for that too). Sure, the media loves a good fight and that's why the focus on this comparison. But the uses of sharing should, can, and will move beyond those in dispute. And not just for files, either.

Why am I saying this? Well, can't you guess?

Stay tuned. :-)

The answer to video piracy?

The answer to video piracy? 01/11/2004 10:08 AM
CNET Jan 11 2004 9:08AM ET

Songwriters Say Piracy Eats Into Their
Pay

Songwriters Say Piracy Eats Into Their
Pay 01/07/2004 05:39 PM
Songwriters think of themselves as the unsung victims of Internet music piracy since their incomes can depend on royalties from sales of recorded singles and albums.

Speaking of Music Piracy ....

Speaking of Music Piracy .... 04/09/2004 03:57 PM
Digital music was supposed be a cheaper alternative to grossly overpriced CDs. But the companies controlling the industry are looking for ways to raise prices and boost their profits.

Erasing $HOME For Piracy?

Erasing $HOME For Piracy? 09/10/2004 01:10 PM

Depressing piracy statistic

Depressing piracy statistic 12/31/2004 02:59 PM

This week, 90% of the attempts to activate FeedDemon have been with cracked serial numbers.

Other News: How piracy works

Other News: How piracy works 12/31/2004 05:03 AM
In his article The Shadow Internet, Wired's Jeff Howe takes a look at how movies, music, and other commercial media actually get pirated and distributed.

Internet piracy a hot issue

Internet piracy a hot issue 11/19/2003 10:28 PM
EastDay Nov 19 2003 9:50PM ET

iTunes may not curb piracy

iTunes may not curb piracy 11/13/2003 08:44 PM

Grok Description matches for On Piracy
GrokA matches for On Piracy

On Piracy

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