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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Piracy, It’s a Crime” is an epic card of the Memes World series 75, number 22431 of the collection, and the 14th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Piracy, It’s a Crime” meme mean?
This meme mocks overly serious official warnings and disproportionate comparisons between cybercrime and violent theft. Users employ it to ridicule moralizing messages they find disconnected from reality or logically flawed.
Where does the “Piracy, It’s a Crime” meme come from?
The commercial originates from a campaign by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) launched with Singapore’s Intellectual Property Office on July 27, 2004. Initially shown in Singaporean cinemas and later on Region 3 DVDs, the video links illegal downloading to tangible theft. A copy uploaded to YouTube by user *avril134* on May 4, 2006, sparked widespread parody due to its earnest yet ridiculous tone.
- July 27, 2004Official launch of the joint MPA and Singapore IP Office anti-piracy initiative.
- 2005Widespread screening of the spot in cinemas and inclusion on DVD releases across Asia.
- May 4, 2006Upload of the video to YouTube by user april134, initiating its global viral spread.
How to use the “Piracy, It’s a Crime” meme
- Use “You wouldn’t download a car” to criticize regulations perceived as irrational or excessive.
- Parody the solemn tone of the original ad to trivialize minor infractions in casual contexts.
- Reference the meme to highlight the gap between institutional discourse and actual user behavior online.
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The “Piracy, It’s a Crime” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 22431 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Epic |
| Collection | Memes World series 75 |
| Fame | 78/100 · #14 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 20 MemeCoins (60 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Piracy, It’s a Crime” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Piracy, It’s a Crime comes out of the Memes World series 75 as an epic card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 20 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Piracy, It’s a Crime”
More cards of the Memes World series 75
Frequently asked questions
Piracy, It’s a Crime meaning?
The meme highlights the absurdity of comparing digital piracy to serious physical theft. It emphasizes the disconnect between the ad’s serious tone and the public’s view of it as exaggerated.
Where does Piracy, It’s a Crime come from?
It is a public service announcement produced for the Motion Picture Association and screened in Singapore around 2004-2005. Its internet fame began after being uploaded to YouTube in 2006.
You wouldn’t download a car origin?
This famous line comes directly from the Singapore anti-piracy commercial text. It has become the catchphrase for campaigns deemed irrational by internet users.
Who made Piracy, It’s a Crime?
The campaign was created by the Motion Picture Association in partnership with Singaporean authorities. No specific director is typically credited in available public sources.
How do I get the Piracy, It’s a Crime meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Piracy, It’s a Crime” is an epic card of the Memes World series 75. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Piracy, It’s a Crime card?
It is an Epic card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Piracy, It's a Crime - Know Your Meme · Piracy, It's a Crime: Image Gallery | Know Your Meme · Parody, It's A Crime (Piracy It's A Crime Spoof) | Piracy, It's a Crime · checked on October 18, 2026.
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