Without a doubt, "Game of Thrones" is the most pirated show in the world. The proof is the recent leak in torrent downloading sites of the first four episodes of the HBO original's season 5. The piracy spread like wildfire and in three hours, the leaks were already downloaded 100,000 times.
HBO is currently tracking down the person responsible for illegally disseminating the season 5 episodes. And from the official statement released by the network, it looks like it is already close to picking that person up.
"Sadly, it seems the leaked four episodes of the upcoming season of Game of Thrones originated from within a group approved by HBO to receive them," HBO said. "We're actively assessing how this breach occurred."
Tracing the uploader of the episodes will lead to a private user. However, the dissemination of the episodes (which are in standard definition) to the likes of The Pirate Bay and KickAssTorrents happened in a flash and this has clouded the person's identity.
According to some reports, the leaks may have originated from review copies sent out to the press, and it seems more like it with what HBO came up during their investigation on the matter.
The incident, ironically, is the reason HBO premiered "Game of Thrones" season 5 in 170 countries at the same time. Also, the network just launched the series via the cable's free streaming service HBO Now, which allow non-subscriber fans of the series to follow the show.
Fans have waited long for the premiere of "Game of Thrones" and the chance to watch the first four episodes comes along with it, but with a downside on the video quality department. This alone is the reason waiting for it is always the best thing to do.
"Game of Thrones" season 5 will be airing its second episode on April 19.
