Yarr! I be a pirate...

[Articrono]

...of digital media. It's what led me to the cellar. It's widespread throughout the current music, video, and software industries. There are DVD-quality videos of movies not released in theaters available for download right now. There is a serial/password/registration crack for every piece of software imaginable, from the personal licensers who are trying to make rent with a $20 tag to the megalith corporations slapping price tags in the $800+ range. There are full CD-quality albums for every genre of music.

I pirate many things. TV shows, music, games and apps. I estimate I've taken at least $100k worth of media, all told. I'm not bragging, just giving you a frame of reference. I pirate, and I occasionally, but not often, feel remorse. I don't feel like I'm crushing the poor foley artist for the movie that grossed $10 million in the first week by ripping a DVD. I don't think that Metallica is hurting much when I pull an album or two. And I can't take seriously anyone that tries to get on my case for pirating copywrighted media that's commercially unavailable.

I like to think I have a moral code. I like to think I'm not really hurting anyone. I like my digital media even more, though.

-Art