Compared to what? I mechanical drive left on the shelf tends to seize up over time. Flash storage looses it’s trapped electrons representing bits. To protect the more sensitive data from bit rot, I use par2 for the files and dvdisaster for the whole disc.

I use BD to archive personal data. Then send it off site. The data is encrypted, so it can only be accessed with the correct authentication. What’s wrong with that?

Maybe you could hang around downtown with a sign around your neck advertising “Free Hugs”.

For personal things, computer, phones, etc. Big corpos cover this by a EULA. EULAs also covers forums controlled by the companies. For public places like websites, you can control search engines by using a robot.txt file.

I’m reminded what GabeN said: Piracy is an issue of service, not price.

I agree with him up to a point. As price gouging is a feature of modern day streaming.

One reason Steam became the defacto standard is because the insane Steam sales that Valve put on in the early days.

They kept their monopoly in the face of other stores giving away games mostly due to service, though.

While I’m no fan of the crippleware, I don’t think this product from them would effect your average gamer. It looks to be focused on beta testers and reviewers.

But, knowing the human’s facility for laziness, odds on it will filter into general release.