Pachter: "Using DRM is Ubisoft's right"

Speaking in the latest version of his Gametrailers show Pach Attack, industry analyst Michael Pachter has said he agrees with Ubisoft’s decision to implement DRM into its PC games.

Asked if Ubisoft made a mistake by implementing the unpopular system, which requires a constant internet connection to play Ubi PC titles, Pachter said:

“I’m an old guy. I’m ethical and I’m a lawyer by trade. I feel if you steal a copy of a game by copying a friend's file then it’s like going into the shop and stealing a copy. That’s how I feel about it. Please feel free to disagree.

“When a company sells you a game they have no problem if you resell it and someone else buys it and they have no problem if you give it away. If you make copies, though, it's against the law. The guys that ran bittorrent are in jail: it is illegal.

“I think anything a publisher does to make sure you don’t rip off their games if their right, and I think that people who steal should be in jail. I welcome the flamer comments on this one; if you think that’s right good for you; we have no interest in your business since you don’t pay for stuff anyway.”

Ubisoft launched DRM for PC games in January 2010, requiring users to not only authenticate on the first game launch, but to remain online while playing.

This has caused some controversy, although Ubisoft says it is vital for its business if it's to continue developing PC games.

The first PC games to support Ubi's DRM were Assassin’s Creed II and Settlers 7.