In defence of piracy

[Baalzamon]

Mnementh said:
These days I earn enough to usually not pirating, although I judge no one who does. But sometimes I do it even today.

'This shop doesn't accept this european credit card.' → Well, it is not available in europe in any other way, so it does mean I get it for free. Thanks for your generosity.

'We have done an exclusive deal to sell this ebook only through XY-platform you need Z-hardware for.' → I don't have Z-hardware and I will not get it for this book... let's see... *google*... yes, epub right here and for free too. Well then.

Basically if the companies build artificial walls to force me to watch/read/play/listen these things in a certain way, with certain hardware, as a certain nationality or something... I pirate it.

And for the effects. Studies says piracy reduces revenue for chart-topping blockbuster titles, but actually increases revenue for smaller more obscure stuff. Basically people would've never heard about that if not for piracy, and if they like it they buy it. Also you seldomly hurt the actual artist, mostly their income is already set through contract. The big companies selling the art are the one that lose revenue. I would encourage you though if you pirate to look if you have a way to benefit the artist directly, excluding the companies in between.

World War II and the horrible acts of murdering millions of people led to many technological improvements the world likely wouldn't have seen as quickly if it didn't occur. Does that mean the killing that led to World War II was ok?

That is what your argument is. If it wasn't for this theft, some people would actually be worse off.

It still doesn't change that it is theft.