Pirates Aren't Evil ?

Yesterday I discovered that the software I have been writing for the past 6 years, Salvation, was cracked and posted to a warez forum. I wasn't sure how to feel - Pissed? Vengeful? Honored? What should I do?

I started by downloading the pirated software (oops, did I just incriminate myself?) and see if there was any way to contact the group. Here is the release NFO:

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                            ±ÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛÛ±                      ]>|<[



                                BB3D Presents:
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                 Harrison.Digital.Media.Salvation.v1.00-BB3D                  


 +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | RELEASE INFO                                                              |
 +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 | Cracked by..: n0MAD                   Supplier...: Harrison               |
 | Packed by...: Team BB3D               Date.......: 05/05/2007             |
 | Rls Type....: Other                   Disk Size..: 02x.5.00MB             |
 |                                       Platform...: WinAll                 |
 +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+


                     http://www.harrisondigitalmedia.com/                     



  Release Notes: 

Salvation is an advanced visual programming tool used to build                
applications like Salvation MX                                                
                                                                              
Features:                                                                     
Import Video, Images, Vector Art, and 3D Art                                  
Edit & Compile OpenGL Shader Effects                                          
Import FreeFrame Plugins                                                      
Keyboard, Mouse, and MIDI Control                                             
Multi-Monitor Output and Disk Capture                                         
 
  Install/Crack Notes:
 
1. Unpack and Install                                                         
                                                                              
2. Copy / Replace / Overwrite exe files from the Crack folder to the installed
program directory, typically:  C:\Program Files\Salvation\v100                                                                              
                                                                                              
Thats it...                                                                   

*enJoy* !!!

                                 Team BB3D *

Greets: SSG, SCOTCH, ARN, CT, CORE, ENGiNE, ICU & SnD

                    We are looking for crackers & suppliers
 +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+
 |                                 Contact Us                                |
 |                          BlueBeta3D@hushmail.com                          |
 +---------------------------------------------------------------------------+


* Note

BB3D are helping friends to bring releases to an audience for educational 
usage, those that want to learn & non-commercial purposes only.
Making money with it? >>> Then buy it!!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Since they seemed open to communication, I sent off this email:

Subject: Is there any negotiating with pirates?
From: Trey Harrison
Date: Wed, 16 May 2007 20:56:27 -0700
To: BlueBeta3D@hushmail.com

Hi, you guys have recently released a pirated version of my software called
"Salvation". I'm not very surprised - actually I'm flattered - but I was
wondering if we could arrange a meeting to discuss the possibility of you
not doing this any more?

Best,
Trey Harrison
http://www.harrisondigitalmedia.com

I was pretty sure I'd never hear from them, so I sent off an email to the company I purchased my anti-piracy protection tool from, as well as an email to the hosting company that is hosting the warezed copy. Who responded first? The pirates.

Subject: Re: Is there any negotiating with pirates?
From: 
Date: Thu, 17 May 2007 17:11:27 +0100
To: "Trey Harrison"

Hi Trey,

We appreciate your comments and understand the role of developers ,
we only released it so many people who may not have access or
privileges could try this and learn. Hopefully its given more
global coverage. Apologies for any grievance it may have caused. We
also noted your comments and will not release this again. Good Luck
and best wishes for future developement.

Greets

Amazing, eh? I don't know how valuable the promise of a pirate is, but I can at least credit them with a quick response - I still haven't heard from my anti-piracy software vendor, or the hosting company.

Too Much Information

There's more information posted online in 1 day than any single person can absorb in a lifetime.

Billions of dollars are spent organizing, accessing, and delivering this information to people like you.

You just wasted 9 seconds reading some of it.

When you fall asleep tonight

Notice the sounds that you don't usually notice during the day - the sounds in your room, the sounds in your home, the sounds in your neighborhood...

Forget about everything you have to do tomorrow.

Forget about what people expect from you. Forget about what they might say or think about you. Forget about your doubts and limitations. Embrace the freedom of your own imagination.