Software start-ups should in particular note: If you're selling B2C and your target market is technically savvy, the folks who will pirate and distribute your work are considered heroes by many you've hoped to sell to.
They provide a better product for less money. That's called capitalism.
The fact that it's my product is unfortunate, but ultimately, I have to compete with them. I can only do that if I can make it easier to deal with my company than with the Pirate Bay. (Which is exactly how iTunes and Spotify work, for instance. You can compete with free: you do it by being convenient, and by finding ways to add value where it wouldn't otherwise exist.)
I've downloaded quite a bit of stuff from various torrent sites, but you know what's funny? I've never downloaded anything that I could have purchased from the copyright holder instead. Whose fault is that?
The fact that it's my product is unfortunate, but ultimately, I have to compete with them. I can only do that if I can make it easier to deal with my company than with the Pirate Bay. (Which is exactly how iTunes and Spotify work, for instance. You can compete with free: you do it by being convenient, and by finding ways to add value where it wouldn't otherwise exist.)
I've downloaded quite a bit of stuff from various torrent sites, but you know what's funny? I've never downloaded anything that I could have purchased from the copyright holder instead. Whose fault is that?