Ask HN: We found a cracked version of our software on the web, now what?

Post by crtasm » Sat, Jan 14, 2023, 10:14 PM UTC

ilyt wrote: post #244

gtvwill wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Lol everytime I read this argument I think of the software VirtualDJ. It was notorious for being the DJ software to use about a decade and a half ago as pirate copies were everywhere! Fast forward to today and you can read post after post from ex pirate user that's now a paid user. VirtualDJ have one of the more expensive software licenses on the market in that sector too. I wonder if many other software companies ha…

I'd imagine most of that is out of annoyance of dealing with pirate version or just them finally being able to afford it as it is now part of their job. I feel like easiest way to monetize apps like that would be free noncommercial license. Want to DJ your school party ? Go ahead, as long as nobody pays you it's fine, and if someone does, well, now you have money for license. You're also building potential user base,…

Post by logicalmonster » Sun, Jan 15, 2023, 5:22 PM UTC

Post by IYasha » Mon, Jan 16, 2023, 10:55 AM UTC

BizarroLand wrote: post #251

fragmede wrote: post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> First, people or companies using the cracked version of your software were never going to buy it. I've heard this before but I'm not convinced this is actually true. Why? Because I use Netflix instead of torrent sites, and just accept the limitations of that format. Programs are tools vs of entertainment, but I don't know that the human psychology actually changes. A neat trick they did was to introduce downloading…

Look at Adobe, for instance. A good portion of their user base got started using cracked copies of the software, as the price of something like the CS6 Master collection was well outside of the affordability of the average hobbyist. But some of those teenage hobbyists grew up to go to college to expand on their Adobe tinkering to becoming professionals that sneer at people who use non-adobe products because of the pr…

Post by kobalsky » Mon, Jan 16, 2023, 7:03 PM UTC

jjeaff wrote: post #108

kobalsky wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

am I the only one that thinks that the remote possibility of showing this message to a legit customer by mistake outweights any benefit it could bring? you are not gonna guilt anyone into not pirating and if the message blocks or is annoying, crackers are gonna circumvent it just like they did the license check.

A lot of big players like adobe and microsoft don't seem to think this is a problem. In the past I have gotten cracks for legitimately purchased software from both because their licensing system is/was crap and would block access thinking my copy was not valid. Pretty bad when the pirated versions of your software work better than the legit copy.