The Jargon File (version 4.4.7, 29 Dec 2003):

warez
 /weirz/, n.

    Widely used in cracker subcultures to denote cracked version of
    commercial software, that is versions from which copy-protection has been
    stripped. Hackers recognize this term but don't use it themselves. See 
    warez d00dz, courier, leech, elite.


The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (30 December 2018):

warez

    /weirz/ A term software pirates use to
   describe cracked games or applications made available to the
   Internet, at no cost, usually via FTP or telnet.  Often
   the pirate will make use of a site with lax security.

   (1994-11-29)