It's hard decision for HBO to choose to pay ransom. Hackers will reach what they wanted and they can continue to do these bad activities. But anyway, $250 000 is not that big money for HBO, if we look how much they earn from Game of Thrones. And if hacked scripts will be released in public, losses may be much bigger.
And I don't think that this bad publicity can affect bitcoin in negative side. It just means that many bitcoins will move in to bad hands.
And it's serious warning for HBO and other companies to to protect their property better
Yes, it is a sad thing that Bitcoin is being used by the criminals for their illegal activities but we have to consider one thing that the utility of this technology is more than the fiat currencies or any other payment system so it is but obvious that everyone would prefer it over fiat if they are willing to take the benefits of it. There is absolutely zero role of Bitcoin in this crime so blaming it is pointless in my opinion. It's like blaming the internet for stealing money through net banking.
Using bitcoin to pay shows its potential and how useful it can be. But the bad news is that we can't trace it much. I am pretty much sure the hacker is using best ways to hide himself and to hide his digital footprints. Sooner or later he will be caught.
Same thoughts! If this whole thing were true, HBO could have chosen to pay in BTC because hackers may have preferred it since it is not traceable. This may bring a bad association to Bitcoin but "bad publicity is still publicity". It may sound bad that Bitcoin is used in this manner, but it may bring curiosity to the public. In a sense, it will still increase the popularity of Bitcoin. If you were to assess it, it does not necessarily mean that Bitcoin is used in an illegal activity or illegal means. It will just be used by HBO as a payment method, which shows how cool and convenient Bitcoin is!
I'm a GOT fan and I think that despite the leak of the scripts, many will still choose to watch the upcoming episodes especially since I heard that this may be the last series. Perhaps HBO has done this and is willing to pay that huge amount of money just to control the publicity of the show.