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For those questioning how websites can still illegally operate torrenting movies, the answer is very simple. It costs a lot of money and resources for the FBI

For those questioning how websites can still illegally operate torrenting movies, the answer is very simple. It costs a lot of money and resources for the FBI and/or other federal agency to prosecute someone, let alone post adjudication costs ie: probation officers. The feds just don't care to waste time with search warrants over a menial crime. They tried a few years back just simply mailing fines to people. But quickly realized they couldn't prove guilt without spending more money than it's worth. Also movie makers don't care to push the issue with law enforcement anymore. They (unfortunately for law abiding folks) just inflate the price to make up for lost, just like stores do to combat shoplifting.

alwayslikethis 3y ago
Movie makers aren't losing that much, if at all. It is ridiculous to assume that had piracy not been available, the pirates would pay them the full price for the content. Imagine I operate this web app free of charge that gets 1 million monthly active users, and I think to myself, if I start charging $2 per month, I'd be making $2m a month. This doesn't work because if I charge money, people would try to find less expensive options, so I would be getting way less than $2m. Piracy also contributes significantly to the general promulgation of the content into the culture, which may offset some of the profit that is lost. And no, screwing over legit customers by charging more, DRM, or whatever bullshit like that isn't going to win over more people.