(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Yes, this debate again. Take a breath, exhale, repeat, and enjoy!

*The ethicality and morality surrounding piracy is very subjective so I've left it out of the poll.

I think it has a mostly positive effect for a few reasons. If the content creator decides to file a lawsuit than they usually end up with an insane amount of money (if they win of course). Also, people recommend the stuff they download to their friends so the content creator gains popularity. Not to mention the fact that someone had to buy it in order for it to be uploaded.

I'm still mixed.

On one side you aren't contributing to the production of a product that is not a necessity. The issue lies in the matter that it isn't physical, creating a different sense of ownership, but it still takes large quantities of money, time, and effort to create. Whether they are charging too much or not doesn't matter, as it is their own piece.

Then there is the matter that piracy can have some positive effects, such as spreading a product around. Along with the fact many times you would not purchase the product, meaning you have little effect on the market.

As someone who aspires to be a game programmer, and has talked to a few programmers, I would like to think my opinion has developed some. The problem is that reproduction of applications, once done, can easily be accomplished. No time in history beforehand has needed to deal with this type of dilemma.

One argument could be that it should work somewhat similarly to patents and such, where you make your money for a certain amount of time, then it is open to whatever (Please don't mention the current system's absurd lengths of time and abuse, as I am completely aware of it). What I find humorous is that some of the reasons it even exists deal with the fact that we have so many options to choose from. Obviously convenience, no-cost, no-downside, etc... are also part of it.

The matter of fact is that there are these massive, tremendous industries that can spend endless money. It makes it difficult to think that one's dollar makes a difference, but then even presupposing that this be true, there is the matter of ethics and morality of it. Although a game might only cost $1, the amount of time and effort that may have gone into it then go unrewarded while you still get to enjoy it.

I guess I really haven't taken a stance this entire post. If I had to say where I currently am, I suppose I am avoiding pirating games (which I will openly admit that it may be a bias as I hope to enter the industry, although with Indie companies you really should just buy) and movies (which is a different reason), but music I still struggle a bit with. I am not a huge music enthusiast, not to say I don't enjoy it. Part of it may just be that I tend to have difficulty comprehending what really goes into making a song, it could also deal with length. Once again though, I still watch anime and movies online at times.

Interesting Note - Technically, piracy has saved older games, music, and movies. for generations (not the exclusive answer to it, but it did happen this way) with the uploading of past material that would have otherwise just deteriorated.

TLR - I don't pirate games or movies, still watch online sometimes though. Trying to get better with music.

I actually want to be a programmer one day too. You're definitely right. However, I do believe that piracy helps a company in a way even if it takes a little longer.
P.S: Just because I like torrents, that doesn't mean I'm a pirate.

I understand the argument that it helps them, but at the same time, ethically is it right? Because once again, presupposing you are right, does the end justify the means?

Yes, assuming you're a consequentalist.

It has a mostly positive effect. Only time people get butthurt about piracy is when they can't make money from it but what it does do is give the creator is free advertising and distribution. Honest to god if I really like something a lot I will buy it and only 2 things last year impressed me that much and they were both albums.

Piracy also give power back to the people, though instead of making better games to counter piracy the devs seem hell bent on just putting more DRM in instead. Which has the opposite effect most of the time.

Its bad, unless your the one robbing the ship. Damn Somalians.

Im mixed, and for this reason why. For example, a new episode of Family Guy came out on Sunday, but you missed it. It wont be coming out for the next couple days, but you want to watch it. You go online and pirate it, because you already payed for it. Other than that, I dont agree with it.

So then it's a philosophical debate? Meh.

Side Note: not necessarily applying to everyone, but people tend to create arguments that benefit themselves or make them feel better (specifically mentioning to deal with piracy)