miroslav Posted June 30, 2006 Posted June 30, 2006 So someone showed me this website where they sell most of the top software apps... ...but at ridiculously low prices! One guy bought a full-tilt version of Nuendo 3.0 for $25.00...!!!??? He said he got a DVD in the mail from an out-of USA address...and it has everything you need, including a script to run the app with the required dongle. Sounds a bit fishy to me...but yet here is the website...they advertise as though everything is legit. If it's illegal...then how do they stay in biz...regardless of what country it's coming from...??? http://www.hexxo.com I already got a whole bunch of registered, official, boxed software...so I'm not planning to buy anything from them, even for $25.00... ...but I just don't see how it's possible for them to do this...??? miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
Guitarzan Posted June 30, 2006 Posted June 30, 2006 it does sound rather strange. anyone else have an idea? http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will
hamburglar Posted June 30, 2006 Posted June 30, 2006 well I noticed that it does not include packaging or manuals and such... sometimes software is bought in a bulk form with multiple licenses.. I have some software that came with one disk and three different serial numbers, or licenses, for installation on multiple computers.. sometimes sites like this one will sell you a copy of the software with one of these "extra" licenses... Im not positive that this is what this site is doing but I have seen it come up several times with various apps... as far as the legality goes Im not really sure but these sites seem to be common and Im not aware of any concentrated effort to stop them.. the only thing I know of for sure was that one site was reported to adobe and I heard a rep would "look into it"......... *** I should add that I am not stating this website is doing anything improper I really have no clue... dont know if I made that clear or not... Eat a Peach for Peace..........
hamburglar Posted June 30, 2006 Posted June 30, 2006 sorry... one other thing that is worth mentioning is that software bought like this cant be upgraded, more often than not anyway, and also comes without support of any kind.... Eat a Peach for Peace..........
Squ Posted June 30, 2006 Posted June 30, 2006 Wow.. it's amazing how legit this site looks... Honestly, I doubt that any place that sells Macromedia STUDIO 8 for less than $40 can be legit... especially since Adobe sells it for $1000... And it's shipped with the activation keys in text files.. or cracks. It's FAQ says: Can I work with this programs without any law problems? Yes if you use it from home, but it's forbiden to use any of the software in companies or for comercial use! So the question is... do you want to get your illegal software for free, or do you want to pay for your illegal software? Red Red Rockit
Fumblyfingers Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 This from their FAQ's page Hi, at your price of $26.95, is this a full install version and not an upgrade? Also will I get the activation/registration key or what? All software is full version, no upgrades or student versions. Serials, keys or activation codes are provided if not crack/patches are. Very ripped off and the deal with most of the programs today have auth codes that interact with the system ID of your computer or they "phone home" via your internet connection. My guess is you would end up with a serial that did not work and would be sol on a refund. Bad news!! Like Reason, Drumcore, Garritan Jazz and Big Band, Native Instruments stuff.....I could even give someone a burned disc of them with the serials that came with the software and it would not do that person a bit of good. I would avoid ripped off software like the plague!
miroslav Posted July 1, 2006 Author Posted July 1, 2006 Originally posted by Fumblyfingers: My guess is you would end up with a serial that did not work and would be sol on a refund. Well...the guy that showed me the Nuendo 3 app...had it installed and working fine (and without the dongle)... ..and he said he also had a few other apps he got from them, and they also worked fine. The stuff works...but even without the manuals and support, I find it rather unbelievable that it would sell so cheaply...and still be legit. Also...what's the difference if you use it at home or for business? I mean...when you buy software...you usually get to use it however you like. The only time I've seen something like that, is when you get "educational versions"...but they usually come from the vendor. This site just doesn't seem legit. Getting a copy of something like Nuendo 3 for $25...when it usually sells for like $1500... ...is a bit shocking, if it is legit. miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
Fumblyfingers Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 It's not legit...buying it from them is stealing from Steinberg. Bad news!
Gruupi Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 A friend of mine at work just bought a full version of the latest AutoCad for like $25-30, The legit version is closer to $2500-3000. He could be in a legal bind from buying this stuff if Autodesk chooses to pursue legal action. Remember that you can't really plead innocence, stolen property whether tangible or not is still stolen property. My soundclick site: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=397188 My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/gruupi
miroslav Posted July 1, 2006 Author Posted July 1, 2006 Originally posted by Gruupi: Remember that you can't really plead innocence, stolen property whether tangible or not is still stolen property. But the point is...how do you know if it's legit or not? If you buy from an open-to-the-public retailer...that has been openly conducting business...and NO ONE is taking any legal action against them... ...how are you to know that it's stolen? Worst that can happen...is you will get it taken away from you. You can't be prosecuted for buying from a public retailer. And if the various legit manufacturers don't even attempt to put up warnings against said retailers... ...then how the heck will they pursue you for buying it? I'm not saying that it's OK to buy it...but if the retailer sells it as legit...then how can you know and be liable? miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
Darcy H Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 I spent some time working in Azerbaijan, just North of Iran. All software was $2 US, everything, the latest version of Windows XP (which had not yet been releashed stateside), Autocad, Photoshop, OfficeXP.....and CDs and DVDs...any software you could possibly imagine. Not too legit though. One of our French coworkers stocked up and got caught coming into Paris with a box of the stuff, he was charged a few thousand and his passport now has a "Smuggler" stamp in it. www.myspace.com/darcyhoover
Trucks Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 A smuggler stamp in your passport? How cool is that Soundclick Myspace
Gruupi Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Miroslav, what I was trying to say is that you don't have to be aware that you have stolen property to be breaking the law. I don't think that you would be criminally prosecuted, but the civil judgement could be quite painfull. In theory its like the pawn shop owner who buys stolen guitars, he is liable to some degree both on having to return any stolen property and to being seen as aiding in the theft. The police have to use good judgment but if the pawn shop owner repeatedly sells stolen merchandise they will probably come down on him. A place I used to work for bought out one of our competitors. Just before the buyout several employees left in a dispute with the owner. These disgruntled employers stole several boxes with the AutoCad software that were registered in their names (its pretty common when registering this stuff online to just put your own name on it). What they did next was pure vindictiveness. They called Autodesk and reported that this software was still loaded on several computers in the old office. My poor boss was going to be sued for ALOT of money for this. During the process of buying the other company he didn't look into if the employees that were left had the liscenses for what was on their comnputers. He didn't have the receipts from the previous owner for buying the software either. My boss was kind of blindsided by this attack, the former employees had started their own competing company and were using this tactic to slow down our company. In the end while we figured out what had happened and spent lots of time over 6 months, Autodesk agreed as to what had happened. They didn't pursue damages but we did have to buy 7 workstations worth of software for the people that had the program on their computer. That was $20,000 my boss had to spend which he already thought he had covered when he had bought the other company anyway. We could never prove that the former employees stole the software since the receipts were "lost". The friend of mine who recently has bought several programs from some site in Russia knows they are illegal. They send a hacking or codecracking program along with the software to get it installed. Remember when you are buying software, your not muying a disk or even a program, you are buying a license to use that software. That being said the chances of being caught are pretty slim. I would imagine that the chances of being ripped off aren't slim at all however. My soundclick site: http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=397188 My YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/gruupi
doc taz Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Whew... you never know what's in that cracked software. Even if it passes virus scans, there are often other bugs that could be hidden in software resold for such a stupidly low price (or $free). I used to want to grab cracked versions of Photoshop, until I found out about great free alternatives like GiMP, cinepaint, and imagemagick. Even for audio recording, there's some good alternatives now, like Ardour, though that runs only on Linux, if I recall correctly. It isn't too expensive to piece together a decent Linux box to work side by side with a Windows machine these days, though. I know of one guy I talk to online uses Ardour as his main recording app, along with a Windows 2000 box for extra effects/processing it doesn't have, through Pro Tools LE using VSTI plugins. sevenstring.org profile my flickr page
Fumblyfingers Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Originally posted by miroslav: But the point is...how do you know if it's legit or not? If you buy from an open-to-the-public retailer...that has been openly conducting business...and NO ONE is taking any legal action against them... ...how are you to know that it's stolen? Miro, seriously...you keep asking the question about how do you know if it is legit etc. What do you think? The version at all the recognized retailers you can look up is hundred's of dollars if not over a $1000 for some stuff, and at this website it is $25 and comes with either a cracked serial number or a patch and a dongle workaround. You said in an earlier post that people here should be able to speak their mind's and tell it like it is and not hold back so as not to offend, or something like that..... so I will.......without malice Use your head dude, it is a no brainer....it is pirated and if you buy it you are no better than a thief who goes into a jewelry store and grabs a few watches and runs out. Stop asking the same silly question. Love you bro'
The Geoff Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Like Hfx-Buzz, I've found real cheap copies of all the good software. In this case it was in any market in Malasia - Penang in my case. I bought a few and they all work. I use blockers, trackers and firewalls and I'm happy that nothing is phoning out that shouldn't be. As for the question - should you buy it or not? Well, that's up to you. G. "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the World will know Peace": Jimi Hendrix http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=738517&content=music The Geoff - blame Caevan!!!
hamburglar Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 I agree that there is probably something suspect about the operation.... but if it is truly OEM software then it is possible that its not illegal... shees... 3 posts in a thread.. somethings wrong with me... Eat a Peach for Peace..........
A String Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 OEM couldn't account for such a decrease in cost. Also, It comes with cracks. If you have legitimate software, it doesn't need to be "cracked". There is zero doubt in my mind that it is illegal software. Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music
Bbach1 Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Well, as OEM software, they can pretty much name their price, but really should be packaging it with some sort of hardware such as a new computer or hdd. The thing that makes it suspicious is their desire to send software with cracks and patches. Not so good. bbach Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Fumblyfingers Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 I love all you guys and I also have a bit of a somewhat hypocritical attitude about this so I should just bug out....but....why would a software manufacturer have their product for sale in the mainstream market for say $1000 and elsewhere for $25? Please! Again, this shit is pirated and you just have to decide if you feel comfortable stealing it. There is no way to justify it at all so that should not be an issue in the decision, just whether you will or won't. I can't advise on that nor really criticize, but for me personally I cannot steal from people anymore. I have done it before and it is wrong. And I swear that everytime I installed a cracked program I had problems. All it takes is one small bit of the code to be lost in the rip and you can be in a world of shit trying to figure it out. About 2 years ago I made the decision to go legit on all my purchases and it works for me. But then I can afford it and when I was stealing it I could not really afford it....so who am I to tell anyone not to rip it off. But think about it, and how you would like it if while you were out someone walked in to your house or business and walked off with a few hundred $'s of your stuff.
Bbach1 Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Originally posted by Fumblyfingers: I love all you guys and I also have a bit of a somewhat hypocritical attitude about this so I should just bug out....but....why would a software manufacturer have their product for sale in the mainstream market for say $1000 and elsewhere for $25? Please! I don't sell computer stuff for a living so I don't know how all this works exactly, but there are all kinds of small independent shops around that will custom build a computer for you. One that I used to shop in before I just decided to build my own used to sell oem software. Basically, he had a license to package legit software with his computers but sold it independently sometimes. I don't know if it was legit or not, but came with key code and the registration with the software companies worked just fine. The software I bought from him came with just a cd and a key code. No box, no manual. I had bought a hdd from him and he said he could squeeze the oem under that purchase. I paid about $50 per software license. That's not to say that I don't think the particuar site we are discussing is not selling pirated stuff, but some of it may just be oem. Like you say tho, Fumbly, make your own decision. You could very well be buying pirated stuff. bbach Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
Fumblyfingers Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Yeah, I can see this going on with certain lite apps such as photo editing stuff, and lite versions of Word or others. Many times these are teasers, that come as "bundles", to get you to buy the full version as in Ableton Live and Reason.... the Pro Tools LE editions. They have many but not all the features of the full versions. But a full version of Nuendo which runs about $1900 and might even have an MSRP higher than that? For $25.00? C'mon guys, does this even require thought? I cannot even begin to imagine that is legal.
A String Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 On the website, they have a FAQ. In it, they tell you how to install the programs. One example, you put the CD into your computer, install the program and replace the exe file with the one in the folder named "crack". Another question asks why, when you buy several programs, they all come on one DVD. This is pirated software. whether you choose to "download it/order it" or not is up too you, but be sure you are aware that it is pirated. Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music
miroslav Posted July 1, 2006 Author Posted July 1, 2006 Originally posted by Fumblyfingers: Use your head dude, it is a no brainer....it is pirated and if you buy it you are no better than a thief who goes into a jewelry store and grabs a few watches and runs out. Stop asking the same silly question. Love you bro'You misunderstand me...I'm not asking because I have doubts! Heck...the minute my friend showed me his Nuendo 3...I said, "Where did you get the cracked software?"... I'm just making the observation that when there is a very legit looking site...with all kinds of FAQs designed to quell peoples fears... ...how do you know if it is cracked or legit? I'm sure a lot of people will buy it...and just assume that it's legit. miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
miroslav Posted July 1, 2006 Author Posted July 1, 2006 Originally posted by A String: This is pirated software. whether you choose to "download it/order it" or not is up too you, but be sure you are aware that it is pirated. Agreed...but then how the heck do they get away with selling it so openly...and why aren't the real vendors after them...? miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
caprae Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Settle it once and for all. Call a vendor and ask them. Raise your children and spoil your grandchildren. Spoil your children and raise your grandchildren.
miroslav Posted July 1, 2006 Author Posted July 1, 2006 Good idea...let us know what they tell you. miroslav - miroslavmusic.com "Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
A String Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 If this helps, a little bit of detective work turned up that the company is located in Ukraine and has a secondary server routing them through Russia so they appear to be somewhere else. They also have a merchant code of 6, which means "Country may have high rate of fraud". The only contact info they have on their site is an E-mail link. I was able to gather the contact info for the guy who runs the site. (He may not be very happy to get a phone call so it's up to you if you want to bother...) Oksana Timchenko +380.2356489 Fax: +380.3564897 Zhukovskogo St, 25/456 Khar'kov 45080 UA I assume that they can't be touched because they are out of the Country. I'm sure there products could be intercepted at the boarder by customs though. But that is a random search type thing... Craig Stringnetwork on Facebook String Network Forum My Music
Fumblyfingers Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 This from their site. **Section 117 of the US Copyright Laws: § 117. Limitations on exclusive rights: Computer programs Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaptation of that computer program provided: (1) that such a new copy or adaptation is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or (2) that such new copy or adaptation is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are destroyed in the event that continued possession of the computer program should cease to be rightful. You are required to own an original copy of the title you intend to backup , if you sell or give away the original copy, you will either, (A) Destroy that backup or (B) Give the backup to the person receiving the original. This law extends to PC and basically anything that consists of copyable data for backup purposes. We'll take no responsibility for any your action. This site has security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control. All information provided via the website is treated as confidential and not shared with any third party for any purpose whatsoever. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting it. We recognize your need for appropriate protection and management of the personal information we learn about you while you visit our site, and what service(s) you request. We will take reasonable steps to protect the information you share with us from unauthorized access or disclosure. By using this site, you signify your agreement to these Terms and Conditions. If you do not agree to these Terms and Conditions, you may not use/enter this site. We may modify these Terms and Conditions at anytime. The creator of this page or the ISP host and any content on this site take NO responsibility for the way you use the information or items provided on this site. You can NOT threaten, prosecute, or sue any person(s) affiliated with this page/site which includes family, friends, or individuals who run or enter this web site. If you enter this site and you are not agreeing to these terms, you must leave immediately.** Note paragraph 2. You are required to own the original copy of the title you wish to backup.....so they are sorta selling you a backup then, it just happens to have a cracked serial and a dongle workaround by way of a script. How about the "we will take reasonable steps to protect the info you share with us "....right now some of these shady guys who would steal software from others and re-sell it, have your credit card number....hmm ok Dodgy.
caprae Posted July 1, 2006 Posted July 1, 2006 Just emailed my rep at Apple. I'll let you know what they say. Raise your children and spoil your grandchildren. Spoil your children and raise your grandchildren.
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