PIRACY AND COMPUTERS Asad Patel

What is (software) piracy? ■Unauthorized copying of software ■Includes distributing and downloading ■AKA ripping, cracking, warez, hacking, stealing

Different viewpoints

Pirate point of view ■Why pay for something you can get for free? –Can the pirate even afford the software? –Would the pirate purchase the software if he couldn’t pirate it? ■Copying software doesn’t cost the developer anything. –Unlike physical products ■“I’ll buy it if I like it” –Demo

Creator point of view ■Deserve to be paid for work –Intellectual property ■“I’ll buy it if I like it” counter –What if you don’t like it? –How often does that actually happen? ■Why would anyone buy something if it they can get it for free?

Digital Rights Management ■Prevents unauthorized users from accessing software. ■Notable Forms: –Registration key –Online registration –Constant internet connection –Physical “key”

Corporate Piracy ■Big deal for software developers. –Corporate is the biggest source of income for a lot of software. –Lawsuits for $$$$$$$$$$$$ –U.S Army and German company SAP

(possible) Benefits of piracy ■Creates reliance on software –Windows –WinRar ■“As long as they’re going to steal, we want them to steal ours.” – Bill Gates

Future of Piracy ■Freemium –AKA free to play –Base is free, pay to unlock extra features –Gets you hooked on other services ■Free for Personal Use ■Games piracy in trouble –New DRM on the block – Denuvo –“In two years time I’m afraid there will be no free games to play in the world” – 3DM

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