As I am sure everyone is aware of by now, the internet has made it quite easy to commit software piracy. Between the millions of sites offering free CD Keys and the key generators plastered all over the internet, it isn’t difficult to get your hands on your favorite piece of software or your favorite game without having to purchase it.

Well, EA has fought back at this and has created an online activation system that forces you to activate your PC Copy of Mass Effect and Spore on the Internet when you install the game. Not only that, but the software also requires you to check into the server once every ten days to re-activate the game. Failure to check into the server to re-activate will result in the game no longer working until you re-activate.

Derek French, Technical Producer at Bioware, elaborated on the activation system by saying the following in a BioWare forum post:

“After the first activation, SecuROM requires that [Mass Effect PC] re-check with the server within ten days (in case the CD Key has become public/warez’d and gets banned)”

"After 10 days a re-check is required before the game can run," continued French. "An internet connection is not required to install, just to activate the first time, and every 10 days after."

It looks like EA is really cracking down on piracy; however, it is only a matter of time before someone out there discovers a way to get around it.