Since communication was slow, said Bean, it could take months to let a crew of pirates know that the war was over and they should stop destroying ships and looting.

CNN: Real pirates don't say 'Aaaarrrr'

The price might well be sweetened if DirecTV were to show some progress in its war against the pirates.

FORBES: DirecTV Declares War On TV Pirates

On April 30, DirecTV scored what should have been a decisive victory in the company's ongoing war with satellite pirates.

FORBES: Magazine Article

President Thomas Jefferson waged our first foreign war to fight Islamic pirates in the Mediterranean.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Obama dithered for nearly three days on pirates

Another reason pirates roamed the seas, said Bean, was because they were hired by countries at war to wreak havoc.

CNN: Real pirates don't say 'Aaaarrrr'