Avast me Mateys!

Atari founder Nolan Bushnell recently suggested that the latest approach to combat PC piracy is to use A Trusted Platform Module (TMP) chip. Basically, the TMP chip is a chip on the motherboard of the computer that is supposed to check and confirm the legitimacy of any PC software installed on the computer. If the software is legit, the chip allows it's usage. If the software is pirated not, the chip is supposed to prevent it's activation.

I'm not a computer expert so I cannot comment on how technically sound this method of DRM is, but I think that using borderline draconian methods to protect their IP is not the right way for companies.

The image of a typical pirate is someone who is young and has relatively low (no) purchasing power, like high school kids. I believe most pirates are not really interested in purchasing the actual product. It's more of "since I can get it for free, I'll try it" kind of attitude. Thus, such anti-piracy measures aren't really helping companies increase their revenues. People who can't pirate the game aren't necessarily going to want to play it regardless. And then the real users are the ones who have to suffer the indignity (& inconvenience) of the anti-piracy procedures.

I think as most people grow up and see an increase in purchasing power, they will stop pirating goods as they are in a better position to buy what they want. Thus companies should spend their efforts in making (& marketing) a product that these users will buy. They can include freebies (vouchers/posters/etc) with purchases, allow legit users to have exclusive interaction with the programmers, etc. These are things that cannot be downloaded nor digitized for free sharing. That should be the way to go I think.

Piracy should not be condoned, but heavy-handedness is not going to win people over to the big companies' side. I hope that corporations realize the futility of forcing people to do what they (i.e. corporations) want.

P.S. Ninjas are cooler.