PureBasic Forums - English

syk071c wrote:.. hi to all my *real* reversing friends out there.. I had my reasons to do what i did...

I'm really not being critical or judgemental of you when I say this even if it might sound that way, so please don't take offense as its simply the only way I can say it;

but saying what you did, how you said it, sounds like your lending a personal excuse to stealing someone else's work. The exact same excuse, in one form or another, is given by criminals all over the world when they get caught.

I'm not saying that your a criminal or anything, but the way you said it was basically saying you think you had a personal excuse to steal and that anyone else who has their personal "reasons" as long as you have a personal "reason" then its OK to steal?

So using that same logic as portrayed by your statement, the way you said it; its OK then if I come steal your car because I have a personal "reason" to do so, so then my actions would be excused because I had a personal "reason" to do so?

The ends always justify the means? No, they don't, but thats basically also what your personal "reason" excuse says.

devski wrote:here is a good anti-piracy plan, guaranteed to lessen the illegal use of your software:

1. point them to an alternative that is freeware.
2. point them to a paid but cheaper competitor.

since theres just so many software that does the same thing, you will do them a favor of pointing out the best free/cheap alternative (handpicked by you of course). by using somebody else software, they will leave and forgot about yours (which is what you want right?.. since they wont pay you anyway).

the above will not benefit you at all, but will help the users. unfortunately, what will benefit others but wont benefit us is not in the minds of many people.

A better plan;

1. First offense - 10 year prison term.
2. Second offense - execution.

I'd bet you that the piracy rate would go down then.

BTW, the above is not a serious proposal by me, but just to put it in perspective thats exactly the sentiments expressed in a crazy proposal that lobbyist for the RIAA tried to put forth in 2007. Some people take piracy way out of proportion. The piracy rate is not what it is portrayed as, and its is not as devasting as what it is portrayed as. But some groups will go to any length to make it seem more serious then it really is to justify their own out of control profit machines.

utopiomania wrote:I'm working on a small simple program that I think I can sell to people.

Problem is piracy, and here's my current thoughts on how to fight it:


A: Make limited lifespan versions available for free to everyone.

B: Charge a few $'s for unlimited new major versions, no upgrade policy.

C: Give the programs a serialnumber and built in help on how to buy a
legal copy.


'A' will help in marketing the thing.

'B' means the resistance to buy and also to upgrade is low, and will also
ensure exponential growth in income if the program is a success. Will
greatly compensate a low price.

'C' will help people using copies of full versions do the right thing.

(antipiracy code inside the program is meant to be obfuscated and nearly uncrackable)

What do you think about this plan

Its a nice plan BUT (big but), most if not all antipiracy just hurts the people who actually pay for your product. Pirate cracking crews crack the product and ship it before or on the day of release without the protection or annoying nag screen/net requirement, so the only people you will be annoying will be the people that pay you for it.

To get around the piracy issue make a product that everyone wants, hell you will still get some piracy but look at it as free advertising and not a bad thing. Hell if people pay for your software thats a good thing, if hundreds pay but a handful pirate even better.