Internet Piracy: A New Type of Theft

Presentation Outline Introduction Piracy Hierarchy Facts and Figures Justifications Impact on Industries What You Can Do

Introduction Software traded in violation of copyright laws Laws differ between countries Laws are not well enforced in most countries Many legal loopholes Programs that can make your computer difficult to track

Piracy Hierarchy Release groups are often one person The topsite varies depending on the release group Leechers are sometimes followed by seeders but not always

Facts and Figures CD sales in Canada down 30% over 5 years 30% of Canadian high school students have downloaded a movie without paying 60% have downloaded an MP3 20% of software in the US is acquired illegally 75% of illegally uploaded software in America is coming from 15% of the people

Justifications Leechers say it is morally justifiable Artist/actor salaries Theater prices Lack of availability One time use Everybody does it

Impact on Industries Piracy in Canada has caused a $425 million dollar loss in the music industry In 2004, the overall losses industry wide due to software piracy was $2.1 billion dollars 8:30 PM, April 22, just over 12,500 have downloaded a pirated copy of Clash of the Titans with 11,624 more still downloading it

What Can You Do? Do not download software! Support the industry! Contact torrent websites! Contact publishers/developers! Don’t support those who do it!

Questions?