Copy Protection Website Encourages Piracy, Accident?

Jengo

Last week a moderator at the StarForce forums posted a link leading to a site where you could download StarDock Systems hit PC game Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords. Later, a different StarForce Forums moderator offered an apology.

In an ironic twist last week, a moderator on the forums for copy protection software StarForce made it easier for people to pirate a game, posting a link directing users to a site from which they could download illegal "warez" copies of Stardock Systems' PC strategy game Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords.

In response to a user's remark that Dread Lords has been experiencing strong sales despite a lack of copy protection (other than a serial number used to download updates), StarForce forum moderator JM posted a link to a Web site and a message saying that several thousand people were downloading the game illegally. He suggested that the game's success was despite the lack of copy protection, and not because of it.

The offending link has since been removed, and yesterday another StarForce forum moderator offered an apology for the situation.

"In the end, on behalf of the whole StarForce I would like to tender our apologies to all people who have been working on creation of the game Galactic Civilizations II," wrote a moderator using the handle "SF shum." The moderator continued, "We have to officially claim that what has happened is just a mistake of our employee that was boosted into 'our planned PR action' by the people who hate StarForce."

Source: GameSpot

Thrax

I think this was a PR SNAFU on StarForce's behalf, in that I think the action was cultivated more than the clean-up crew is willing or able to admit. The action was deplorable, but then so is StarForce which has a copy-protection system which has ruined more than one PC (Corroborated evidence, I might add). On a similar note, I want to commend StarDock Systems' protection-free game.. If only all the manufacturers could be so progressive in their outlook. I salute and respect SDS for their efforts.