Electronic distribution of pirated software and other copyrighted materials didn’t start with the advent of the worldwide web during the 1990’s. A full decade earlier, people have been using dial-up modems to connect to private bulletin board systems (or BBS), which in many ways can be regarded not only as a precursor to the web, but also to the illegal and widespread electronic distribution of copyrighted materials.
Two decades of constant growth have made the internet a ubiquitous commodity, and its potential as a vehicle for piracy is now at an all time high.