Piracy

Hijacking

Nature

Illegal acts of violence, detention or any act of depredation committed outside the jurisdiction of any State, for private ends, by the crew or the passengers of a private ship or a private aircraft is piracy if it is directed against their own or other ships or aircraft, or against persons or property onboard, overboard, or ashore (where there is no effective jurisdiction). Pirates may be abetted by persons performing acts of voluntary participation in the operation of a ship or of an aircraft with knowledge of facts, making it a pirate ship or aircraft, or by any act of inciting or of intentionally facilitating participation in piracy. Piracy can be committed with the use of a warship, government ship or government aircraft whose crew has mutinied and taken control. The terms ship and aircraft may also be specified as to mean 'any sea-going vessel' (submarines, etc) and 'any air- or spacecraft'. Hybrid vessels such as sea-based air- or spacecraft, and any unmanned vessels or craft controlled remotely, may be involved in future piratical acts.

The modern term hijacking is the unlawful seizure of a vehicle, plane, or boat, by force or threat and as such is equivalent to piracy. Recently, hijacking has become synonymous with skyjacking, and especially refers to those who skyjack to make a political point, to seek asylum, to gain revenge or the release of prisoners, or to obtain other concessions.

Background

Piracy emerged as a significant global concern with the expansion of maritime trade routes in the early modern era, notably affecting commerce and security in regions such as the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and later the waters off Somalia. International awareness intensified following high-profile hijackings and ransom incidents in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, prompting coordinated naval responses and legal frameworks to address the evolving and persistent threat to global shipping and maritime safety.

Incidence

In the period from 1984 to 1993 some 480 pirate raids were registered by the International Maritime Organization and the number is increasing annually. This is believed to represent approximately 50% of the actual total of attacks. The majority of attacks tend to be in the South China Sea and North Asia. The most recent widespread and publicized piracy concerns the piratical atrocities committed against the Indo-Chinese boat people in the aftermath of the Vietnam war. In 1994 Chinese gunboats with what appeared to be military personnel were alleged to have held up several ships which were then stripped of their cargo. It was unclear whether they were official sponsored or were the activities of renegade officers.

Claim

Piracy is a critical and urgent problem that undermines creativity, destroys industries, and robs countless individuals of their hard-earned livelihoods. It fuels illegal markets, discourages innovation, and erodes respect for intellectual property. If left unchecked, piracy threatens the very foundation of creative and technological progress. Society must recognize the severe consequences of piracy and take decisive action to protect creators, businesses, and the future of innovation. Ignoring this issue is simply unacceptable.

Counter-claim

Frankly, piracy is blown wildly out of proportion. In today’s digital age, most people access content legally, and the supposed “damage” is exaggerated by big corporations to protect their profits. Piracy doesn’t cripple industries; it often increases exposure and even drives sales. With so many affordable, legal options available, piracy is a minor nuisance at best—not the dire threat it’s made out to be. Let’s focus on real problems instead.