While it may seem like a victimless crime, piracy has real-world consequences for the people involved in creating and producing content. From the writers and directors to the actors and musicians, piracy can result in lost revenue, reduced investment in new projects, and a diminished incentive to create. The impact is not limited to the industry alone; it also affects the consumers who may unwittingly download malware, viruses, or other types of cyber threats along with pirated content.