Can somebody explain to me how this works anyway? I understand how the torrent idea works, but I don't understand how you're able to get protected software. If you download it from somewhere, then don't you still have to provide some manner of registration, password....so on and so forth? Every piece of downloaded payware I've ever bought was protected save for a few.
Is this really that big of a problem? I always figured that there can't be that many people doing it. If this stuff is protected with passwords and such, then any versions you download for free are going to be BS or viruses or something, right?
It takes a programmer about 45min to write a simple "patch" which can get rid of any registration/password.
I haven't seen a single software which is not "crack-able." Believe me, i work in the game biz, and many times we track these patches/cracks to see how they get in....and these guys are smart!
Many companies spend millions trying to develop security measures, but none have yet succeeded. Sony even tried linking the security physically to the battery (Sony PSP), but that was eventually cracked too.
The only way to stop it is by keeping everything online. You have to have an account to login and use it (this is why MMORPGs can't be pirated). However, you CAN pirate the ENTIRE server (which exists for games such as WoW), but most people don't play on these servers...since it's no fun at all w/ cheaters/hackers/etc. running around on them.
anyways, this is why Microsoft recently filled a ton of patents on "rentable software/hardware"....they are already planning ahead....for example, they are already using the word "live" in all their products...to get people used to the idea that their software is connected to the net..all the time...
Cable television is a good way to analyize it. You don't own the shows, and they are all "free." however, you must pay a monthly fee to watch them. I believe software will all become like this in the next 5-10 years.
-feng