Nick I'm not claiming that not downloading cracked stuff would solve the problem. I used to take great pleasure as a student gaining access to things that technically I shouldn't have ( well they did say 'welcome' on the login page ;) ) but most of this stuff isn't in that line; it is a mind set that says any program aired in the US should be on a Torrent 20mins after airing, the isn't any challenge to it other than being first so they can get bragging rights.
Illegal copying has had a massive impact on games/music and video (and I'll accept some of it is good). Your out of copyright issue is an interesting one; it gets even more interesting if you know the publisher is no more. It's is one of the things that stops the Gutenberg project for working on newer books that they cant confirm are released by a publisher.
