Authors against Piracy

Recently I was in a discussion about piracy and the methods to combat the issue, when I was told by an Adobe representative that they allow for "expected losses" with each release of new title version or new program suite when projecting estimates sales figures.

She also estimated that less than 2% of each project's budget is allotted for piracy prevention methods.

When I asked why this was the case, the answer simply floored me... and likely you as well.

Quote:

"On average, any software release has a 30% piracy rate. There are so many ways to obtain illegal software, and no governing body to help prevent piracy. Vendors can not compete."

Whoa!! Wait a freaking minute here!! Can't compete? Not with a budget of 2% of each project. So I asked the obvious question.

Why not raise the budget for anti-piracy methods, and try to cut into the estimated 30% piracy rate?

Answer:

"If you fail epically as most vendors have in the past, why raise a budget for something that will ultimately return no value?

Good question.. Why raise a budget for something that will return no value, or be deemed a failure before you really even begin? Here is a thought... BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T, THE ESTIMATED PIRACY FIGURES WILL EVENTUALLY GROW TO MORE THAN THE PROJECTED SALES FOR THE PROJECT!

Personally I find that more and more companies are either abandoning anti-piracy methods by just using basic serial numbers or cdrom checks to try and protect their programs, or the "hope and pray" method of digital download tracking. Obviously none of these methods work.

When I contact authors or abuse departments about illegal downloads, I would have to say 90% really don't give a flying f%^k, and the other 10% give a simple "Thanks for your efforts and we will have someone contact you shortly."

Would you like to know that out of over 100 companies that I have contacted, two.. yes TWO have contacted me back. Rediculous wouldn't you say?

It was fun trying to help bring awareness to this issue, but it seems I might be one of the few that actually care. Without waving a white flag, I will simply fade in to the background along with the dwindling anti-piracy budgets.

This website will remain up for a short period of time, and then will be changed into something that will consume my free time.

Good bye, good luck, and I sincerely hope things change for the better in the future.