Lesson on Piracy

This is not our usual pace, but being that we are a Food and Music blog, I believe this post is necessary for our half music side. A lot of us are guilty of Piracy.  Last Tuesday, the popular Canadian Hip Hop artist, Drake's new album "Take Care" was leaked exactly one week before the official release. FYI, I did not listen. I will wait until Tuesday to purchase the most anticipated album on itunes. -Celeste

Is Piracy Dead?

When this question is asked, most answer no. With technology moving as fast as it is now, it becomes too easy to take whatever you want. The problem comes from no one purchasing the actual files to make readily available for the general public. If no one is buying the product, whether it is music, movies, audio books, software or the like, then there is no one to "hack" the file and upload to bit torrent or full download sites.

What most do not realize is that in order for the public to get their hands on the "free" merchandise is that someone somewhere must actually pay money to receive the initial file. After the first purchase, the product can be uploaded to a file sharing peer to peer site. Without the first purchase there is no way for it to become available. More and more companies are offering free versions of their product. Each free version is a shell of what the full version can do. Sadly, the free version is more than enough for the general users. If you need the paid for full version, it usually means you either own a business or work for a big business that has the funds to make such a purchase. No need for a "hacked" version of it.

With that said, there are still a few ways to get the product out without the first purchase. Many illegal black markets sell code breakers or password by-passers for cheap. These, in the wrong hands, can seriously compromise the security of different companies. With these one can break into the main computer undetected and take any files that they want. Only the elite of hackers want to take that kind of risk. Things like this have serious charges attached. Hefty fines and long jail times have curbed this activity to an extent. 

Will piracy ever die? I honestly do not think it will. As with anything, if the demand is high enough and worth the risk, someone will take the challenge. More secure anti-theft software will defend for a short time, but eventually will fall short. For every anti-theft, anti-virus, and security system that comes out, the hackers will always be at least one step ahead. Keep developing new software and deeper encryptions.

Q:Will piracy kill piracy in the long run? 

Written by Ryan