Hi All,
A software company I'm friends with recently released a new version of their application. This application, which is under $50 (aka affordable), has server side activation due to 'the times we live in.' Without fail, soon after the release the same serial number kept trying to be activated over and over. They realized this serial number had been posted to a pirate forum and blocked the serial number. Over the course of the next several days they watched the number of people trying this number go up and up while the paying customers leveled off. On one day, 68% of all activation requests were with this *one* pirated serial number.
Are small Mac developers, like ourselves, just supposed to accept this rampant amount of piracy? Why do people feel they can simply steal software when it is affordable (they do own a computer after all)? Does every software company need to put in online activation to try and slow piracy? Do we need to increase the price of our applications to offset piracy?
Ultimately, customers are the real victims here. For example, we do ES as a side project because we simply can't make enough on our software to make a living from it. If we could see a theoretical 68% increase in registrations we would probably be able to make it into a full time gig. That would result in more software, better software and quicker releases. Now think of that across the entire Mac shareware industry; imagine all the new and cool apps people would be making.
The thought that 68% of our users could be pirates really makes me just want to quit. Our software is very affordable, but without a doubt, we still have to block pirated serial numbers every release. Even for a $5 application! Perhaps you might think twice before pirating your next piece of software...
cheers,
will
comments posted at 5:41 PM
Comments:
Reply by : 9:39 AM
Nobody will understand the idea of paying for an application until they have created one.
I've worked a long time on a app and now understand the value of an app. It's the same thing with music etc.
Reply by : 8:45 PM
This is a sad state of all online affairs, I am afraid.
Now, this is not to say that I think you're numbers are a bit off. There are a lot of people who may download and attempt to register your software with a pirate number, but these types are not ones that would have purchased the software to begin with. Many people simply download software and use illegal numbers because it "is there". They try your app, and then move on. It is sort of a "conquest" type of thing.
That said, alot of people will use pirate numbers to use an app for a period of time to really test not only the app itself, but how the app fits into their lives. Do they really need the app? Will they use it enough to warrant paying for it, etc... I've done this and oftentimes if the app gets updated, and I've seen that I've actually been using it, and the price is not too high, then I will actually pay for a copy.
In some cases, you may end up getting a software purchase that actually comes from a pirated copy originally.
And then there are those, who will just not pay for anything, period. However, these people are a lost cause on your part, simply because they would never pay for it anyways. So, it's sort of a moot point.
I can understand how you feel, and that it can seem discouraging, but to equate every attempted use of a pirate number, to a missed sale is going to set you up to feel this way.
BTW> I originally used your Bookit app illegally and then went on to purchase it because it had a value to me after I used it for sometime. Now, I am a happy customer of yours. However if it hadn't been for a pirated version, I may have never tried your product, or not tried it long enough to convince me to pay for it.
Just something to think about.
Keep up the great work, it is appreciated.
-- Todd
Reply by WordPress SEO : 11:20 AM
I agree with Todd.
A lot of people use the pirate numbers to really try applications (as shareware in most cases is a misnomer).
Almost everything I've taken for an extended trial is now officially registered (anything which hasn't been I just don't use).
Don't waste your time and energy on high powered copy protection schemes. It's self-defeating.
Reply by Will : 9:33 AM
@Todd - Unfortunately, I think you are in the minority. Based on the shear number of attempts with the pirated number (now over 75% based on the last numbers I've heard), we can glean that not all those people will register legally. Nor, will they all throw away the application if they decide they don't like it.
While I can see your point with the extended demo time; it's still sad to see this many attempts to pirate the software.
Reply by Bill : 4:00 AM
Welcome to my world! I feel ya brother.
Reply by Darkstar7 : 1:57 AM
Would it be possible to have the registration system track the email addresses and names of those who submitted the pirate key for activation?
Then, when each person tried to activate with the pirate key, they would be sent an email message that said something to the effect of, "The key that you are attempting to use is a key that is known to be in use on software pirating web sites. Please consider the amount of time that went in to creating this software - approximately XXXX hours, with XXX hours for this release alone. The amount of money we are asking for to purchase this software is quite small and reasonable when considering the amount of time that was put into it, and is equal to about $1/hr [example]. Additionally, if you purchase this software, your suggestions for features and feature enhancements will be considered for inclusion into the product itself. If you use and enjoy this software, do the right thing: click on this link http://yyy.yyyy.com/store and purchase a stake in your computing future."
Thoughts?
Best Regards,
Eric
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