Known Participant

Question

Illegal copies of Photoshop

Forum|Forum|12 years ago
June 13, 2013
6 replies
75243 views

It is, I think, fairly common knowledge that a significant number of people have illegal copies of Photoshop CS. I keep coming across examples of this, and I'm surprised at how open people are about it, even on line http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090322140017AAjxbcN

I paid a lot of money for my legitimate version of what is now CS6 (inc all the upgrades). How is it still possible for people to get illegal copies? Is it not possible to check an IP address when a legal or illegal owner starts Photoshop? Or is that not possible as some users don't have internet access on their Photoshop computer for antivirus reasons? Is there not another way to cut down on this activity?

I really don't want to sound like an old wind-bag, but it really p****s me off.

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A

Anonymous

Adobe should have a way for people to activate without the internet. Nobody should be forced to have internet exposure. One other software said they would activate a program for me but it was not Adobe. They told me I still had to go to a remote IP address. I ended up not needing more than one license for the program, because I downloaded a torrent hack just to try it unlocked, and I was unsatisfied with the way it performed on a more high end system. I realize that I cannot have everything my way. I also just do not feel like trying to keep up with technology making money scams. I'm not going to accuse anyone here of that. The programs they have can edit media. I do not like the Photoshop CS. I liked the editions before that. There is just way too much crap on my screen that I don't need, and the installer takes too long. Even with fast hard drives it still doesn't install right away like they used to. I like the old version of Adobe Premiere. I have refused to go with systems after Windows 7, because they're not good enough for me. Keep in mind that one thing people like to do is super impose images over a video and there are other programs out there that would do it. How can you beat the competition? I like the way After Effects imports Adobe layers and somebody familiar with that would not have to choose a transparent color in order to have artificial objects on the screen on top of the video, making it look like it is really there in the same place. I actually did buy Adobe After Effects from Amazon, but it was the version before CS because I liked that one so much and it keeps crashing on my 64-bit computer. It can do minimal things, but it leaves something more to be desired. On December 1st 2019, somebody posted a video on YouTube called As fast as premium grade in one whole session. I do not know who that is to be frank, and it may not last long, however it is interesting how they made transitions, and seemed to get the timing right to the end. The unknown person only has like 21 views in 1 day, and Linus Tech Tips gets over 80,000 views in 1 day. I just don't understand how those annoying people can do that. I would like this message to be deleted at the end of the month. I don't want it to be online in the start of the next year. I just want it to be some temporary comments I can post to read. Thanks much.

davescm

Community Expert

So you don't want the inconvenience/risk of internet connection but you are happy to download a torrent hack ! sorry but that just does not add up - many hacks come with free malware.

If you want limted versions of the Adobe photography and video apps maybe Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements will suit you , both being available on perpetual license.

One of the problems with old software and hardware though is that you also need to freeze the rest of your system including cameras. Once you start updating one of those (software/hardware/cameras) , the rest must follow.

Dave

C

cyarab

Participant

In 2013 I bought what I thought to be a legal copy of CS6 from what I thought was an authorized dealer. I downloaded it from the Adobe website the first time to a computer using the enclosed Serial Number with no problems. I have bought 2 new computers over the last 5 years and re-downloaded & installed it from the Adobe website using that same Serial Number again with no problems or flags that it was not legit. Now today in 2018 I am told that this was and has always been a counterfeit copy. How is that possible that it wasn't caught as a bogus copy 5 years ago and again 6 months ago when I put it on my newest computer? HUH??? Offering me a letter to pursue the seller after 5 years is hardly any recourse as that seller is probably not in business any longer. I personally feel that Adobe just killed all the old SN and called them counterfeit to rip off people who still run the older versions and to make people keep paying for something they bought.

davescm

Community Expert

Some unscrupulous sellers sold on "seats" that were part of volume licences (aimed at companies) as individual licenses. When that illegal activity is identified the volume licence is stopped and the "seats" also stop. I don't know if that is the case with yours but it is a possibility.

I do sympathise with those, like yourself, who have been ripped off by such sellers but it is those sellers at fault not Adobe.

I still have a legitimate older version that still works on an old PC so your feeling that all old SNs are revoked is incorrect.

Dave

C

cyarab

Participant

Yes Dave I have older copies that still work on older computers too, so you are probably right about some of the SN's. I never wanted to buy the new CS6 Suite in the first place, but the older versions would not install on a computer with Windows 10. Oh well water under or over the dam I guess. Not much I can do about it now. Seller is long gone. I'll be back on my old slow computer to use my programs. At least for now I can't afford to buy the new "Subscription plans"

Trevor.Dennis

Community Expert

The Photography plan has made a big difference. Before CC I am the only person I know of in my Camera Club who paid for their Adobe software. At least half a dozen are legit now. In fact I helped someone install the Photography plan this Wednesday past, and they sheepishly admitted that they currently had a pirated version of CC2014 installed! I routinely ran the Cleaning Tool to remove any dodgy Registry hacks and CC installed without a hitch.

What used to seriously bug me was not so much having to pay for all my Adobe apps, but having to pay at least 50% more than Adobe's American customers. That has been fixed now, so it was obviously possible. I believe price gouging still applies in Europe though.

Terri Stevens

Legend

I think the £ and $ prices are now the same in Europe as the US once the exchange rate is factored in. Before web based distribution came in though Adobe in Edinburgh often were charging 50% more than the American price. As a student I used to buy all my software from a company in Scottsville Arizona, there were many American companies exporting back then-legally I may add, and even with the carriage you saved hundreds of pounds.

It's funny how people who use cracked software seem to have a need to boast about it, almost saying aren't I clever like the guy above. I don't know if Adobe even try to track suspected pirates anymore as the fines are ridiculously small. The Daily Mirror newspaper in the UK was found operating cracked versions of Pagemaker a few years ago and was fined £20,000-not even the cost of an evenings print run.

Dave discovered a pirate here a few days ago when he asked for the System Info Log. I didn't know this but the pirated versions have Licence Type: Perpetual in the log not License Type: Subscription as with the legal copies. You can't make it a requisite of using the forum that a System Info Log is posted I suppose, but it would prevent pirates from getting any help. Of course the smarter ones would edit the log so a screen capture would be needed-unworkable isn't it?

K

Kubilay Tansel

Participant

There are other work arounds to use photoshop for free,

[Advice about software theft removed by Moderator]

Chuck Uebele

Community Expert

And your workaround might be why Adobe only offers a 7 day trial rather than the 30 day trial now: to make it more of a PIA to workaround people getting Adobe apps for free. So now many people who really just want to try out the product are restricted thanks to people like you.

Mylenium

Legend

Is it not possible to check an IP address when a legal or illegal owner starts Photoshop? Or is that not possible as some users don't have internet access on their Photoshop computer for antivirus reasons? Is there not another way to cut down on this activity?

How should it? Most cracks I'm aware of simply prevent the activation system from contacting any Adobe servers and Adobe can't intervene in things they don't know about. It's as trivial as that. Anyway, it's beside the point. Adobe could invest millions over millions in making their activation system even more rigid, but in the end it would only make life more difficult for the people who dutifulyl pay for their software. People that want to crack it will always find a way, no matter how hard it may be...

Mylenium

L

Lundberg02

Inspiring

Pirates will figure how to crack the cloud, too.

B

b_hein

Participating Frequently

Lundberg02 wrote:
Pirates will figure how to crack the cloud, too.

Through the circumstance that I moderated one of the biggest non-public boards for "free stuff" of all kinds for years, I have kind of a special relationship to some of the most active/popular/succesful releasegroups and can confirm, the cloud is already available "for free".

Gladly, this will not be as available to the "public scene" as the Master Collections with the keygens and hostfile workarounds that float around in the web.

It has and ever will be possible to crack/workaround software and services. There is just always a counterpart of private persons that are on the same or even a higher level than the companies when it comes to coding/programming/cracking. Just think anbout the Virus/Trojan Scene. You will never be able to stop piracy with the kind of software distribution we have now.

To me, it is very important though that stuff is available "for free". I would have never discovered my passion for graphic design and being able to experiment enough to become good enough to get the job I do have now with corel draw or paint net. I just didn't have the money for a legit copy of CS. And even when applying for a apprenticeship (is that the right word?) you are expected to be (very) familiar with PS/ID/ILLU. Sure, there are educational versions. But sometimes even that is too much money.

In my opinion and experience people that are pirating professional software dont damage the business very much. Most of the people arent even able to use it on a professional base and just fool around with it and make a garage sale flyer once a month or so. Like all the people with Steinberg Cubase are just mixing/djing some stuff for their 12-people house party and the Maya rippers make a crappy, rotating 3D logo for their gaming blog. The few who use illegal software on a business purpose or actually make money out of it are marginal. Just like myself. As long as I wasn't able to purchase the software I wanted to try out, work and get familiar with, I pirated it. As soon as I got enough money I proudly bought my copy of the CS4 Master Collection and I know a lot of people doing it a same way.

I know you can't imagine and probably won't believe me, but many people of the pirating scene are not that bad. I can assure you, no matter if it is software, games or music, people tend do buy the product eventually. They're just making kind of their own demo versions that some "black sheep" abuse.

rob_ashcroftAuthor

Known Participant

"In my opinion and experience people that are pirating professional software dont damage the business very much."

If everyone who has an illegal copy actually bought a legitimate copy then Adobe profits would either increase or they would reduce the cost to everyone (and thereby sell even more). I'd like a new Audi A3 estate, but I can't afford one. Perhaps I should go down to the local dealer and help myself to one.

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