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Sometimes black markets are simply a way to get a product cheaper (or free) but the best way to beat the market is a better product and not lawyers. I used to be a heavy user of pirated PC games but have stopped completely now that game developers actively update games for years after their release. Probably a pain for the developers but the shift has lead to much better products and gives a strong incentive to legally purchase products without resorting to "strong arming" your customers.


I agree strongly with the statement about games, and it's not just about service. When I was younger, sometimes pirating was the only way to get a game... it wasn't always easy to find a copy. Music has definitely improved too, unless you use a pure streaming service at least.

Meanwhile... the BBC will make you seriously consider the merits of piracy. It's 2017, and some people really haven't figured out that when you back people into a corner online, they can just pirate their way out of it.


I watched my first home BlueRay disc two days ago.

Someone brought it round and I remembered that my PS4 could play them. To do so it had to connect to the internet. (Tracking/Logging maybe?)

Like the scene in the Sooranos where the wives come round to watch a DVD, it forced me to sit through those "FBI yada yada even though you don't live in America" and "personal opinions of the cast blah blah" disclaimers before for the film would start.

Haven't had to see those since streaming services became available.

Also reminded me that if I'd pirated the film I would have had a better experience than purchasing the legitimate product.

Streaming services are saving the movie industry from itself.




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