While I realize this thread is quite old, I must comment about your reference to versions acquired through illegitimate means. Luckily my financial situation is quite secure, however, it wasn't always so secure. I grew up in Poland and it is quite poor there. I managed to break free from the poverty but I was extremely lucky. I have the money to buy full versions of Adobe's software and I am eternally grateful to Adobe for making these programs that are so incredible. However, we must never forget that many are not so fortunate. If one's dream is to start their own digital video production company or digital video editing service and one does not have any money, then one can not pursue their dreams. This brings me to my question to you since you work for this magnificent company Adobe, does Adobe offer free software to those who have potential but have no way to pay for software? After Effects CS6 for Mac is almost 500.00 US dollars. Of course one must purchase a computer that can run the software which is not going to be cheap either. A computer that can run CS6 is going to need a 64 bit operating system quad core not necessarily water cooled but a hefty machine oh with at least 16GB of ram preferably 32. A Mac will easily cost 3000 US dollar. If one chooses a PC it would still be out of reach of person with no money. Poor person barely getting by, out of their reach. They would need to say goodbye to their dreams. I assume Adobe is a fortune 500 company making if not billions, at least 100's of millions so why not allow some to get free software and then poor people do not have to say goodbye to their dreams or use adobe software through illegitimate means, as you say. Any of you who come here and do digital production work, would you want to say goodbye to your dreams? Not everyone can come (and now under current US Pres even harder) or is born in the rich United States with its streets paved in gold. I lived on the streets of Poland as a child and only through sheer luck and grace of God was my family able to get a place to live and life get better. As a company owner I would say it would be in Adobe's best interest to offer completely free full versions to those who qualify. It would be great PR as American business man say, no? When one is down, it is very difficult if not impossible to get up. I notice in United States many do not struggle but I'm sure there are some who do not have money to go after their dreams and that reason was the inspiration for my company. I do my work completely free if need be for clients. How do I stay in business you might wonder. I am independently wealthy so I can offer my services for free to those who want to make a movie or a series on web. I put my money where my mouth is, as Americans say. So I challenge other companies to do the same. Offer a full product for free! Adobe your company is a success and it is not in danger of going out of business, so pay something back to society. You don't have to give all your software for free but why not some to those in desperate need? Show people that you care about them and about their dreams! People helping people is what will make the world a better place. Show the love, as Americans say.
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