A StarForce employee posted a direct link to pirated versions of Galactic Civilizations II in their official forums. Probably in retaliation to GalCiv maker StarDock making a stand against copy-protection.

Official story on the GalCiv 2 forums:

http://forums.galciv2.com/?ForumID=161&AID=106741

Starforce and other DRM invasive rootkits DO NOT STOP piracy. A IDE controller attached to the motherboard completely rapes the protection.
The only thing happenning is the legitimate customer being punished for purchasing the original copy.
When the braindead publishers will realise that unless they make multiplayer CD Keys (THAT CANNOT BE GENERATED) THE motivation for an original purchase piracy will continue?
Espessially with the rising internet speeds and declining ISP pricing.

Hellenes