I should have used an example other than torrenting, one that doesn't automatically distribute back. Also, I'd say there is a difference between being illegal

I should have used an example other than torrenting, one that doesn't automatically distribute back. Also, I'd say there is a difference between being illegal and whether someone has been successfully prosecuted or not. I don't understand though how piracy doesn't endanger creators though. If a small time creator creates something, say a video game, and everyone pirates it instead of buys it, how has that not endangered him? Simply because you don't think it's plausible that enough people would refrain from paying?