Bah you're missing the whole points of serious concern: DRM is not allowing users their LEGAL RIGHT to make backups of THEIR purchased material. RIAA/MPAA have learned (wisely so) that instead of going after the copies themselves, why not make the MEDIUM used to transfer said product, null. Aka you're not paying for the disc and the coding on it, you’re paying for the LICENSE to use a product! In essence, you and I don't actually "own" anything but a license to use, and what if they stop supporting the product license? You're left out on your asses complaining on forums like THG. If I PAY money for a game, it's MINE to do wtf ever I feel like, as aside from mass distribution etc. MY DISC, kiss off and stay out of my business in MY home/machine.
Another point of interest: All this server-side control with invasive and bloated ADVERTISING mini-appz like STEAM REQUIRE internet connectivity to get "your" beloved games. What if you're from an @home unfriendly country like Australia, where they PAY for GBs of DL'd data? ISPs in the USA are attempting to implement traffic shaping and quotas for "high bandwith" DLs... All of these industries are tied hand in hand, and once media markets make a major shift to the internet to conduct their business. Steam is bullocks if you ask me. While a good idea, I'd rather not be punished and assumed guilty b/c of a small group of pirates Vs the MAJORITY of law abiding citizens. Oh and you do know that just b/c something is a law doesn't make it right—lets start enslaving people again or rounding up "orientals?" Ring any bells? It was perfectly legal at 1 point in time.
Lastly... DRM doesn't do a damn thing when a cracker can just include a patched exe/dll etc. to subvert all the checks. DL the patched version and have full functionality, the only hindrance is server-side serial key checks (stolen ones are very common). I have no qualms about copyright owners having legal right to pursue, BUT at what cost to us—the mass market? WE all have to suffer for their incessant greed: “YES WE'RE going after EVERYONE possible@the cost to the law abiding consumer’s hassle and infection of near root-kit like ‘protection’ schemes (UBIsoft and StarForce, anyone?). So if you copy a game you get fined on the scale of major grand larceny Vs if you stole 5 copies of the game from best buy and got a small fine and community service? LMFAO *TSSST* Houston we've got a problem with an BIAS, PRO-Corporate legal system TSSSST* OVER...TSSSST*
Bah why bother with these kinds of posts, most of you old dogs and young sheep will continue to buy this crap up and slowly erode your rights to common-sense down the PcB polluted river. Enjoy! GOOOO STARFORCE!
BTW- Console piracy starting with the DreamCast (Disc Juggler + boot.bin for the win!) and Xbox etc, was just as, if not easier than PC. Both markets share the same interests for increasing anti-consumer type legislation and pro-corporate bias.