![]() “Our anti-piracy measures are designed specifically to protect our IP. TorrentFreak contacted Corel requesting information and received a response from Gerard Metrailler, EVP of Global Products, whose name is on the patent issued earlier this year. Still no apology from Corel for the problems caused or the delays it forced on me,” he added. “I’m not sure how corrected my license issue or if it just took me off the ‘hit list’ of victims of what I still feel was some kind of scam. He says that the problem has left a bad taste in his mouth and wonders how many other people are getting the message and, crucially, whether less technical users are paying to have the anti-piracy message removed. ![]() This has now gone on for more than 24 hours.”Įventually, after lengthy email exchanges, the problem got fixed, albeit after Corel’s customer had been unable to use his software for an extended period. At this time, I’m unable to meet the needs of my customers because I can’t save any new artwork for them. “These images are used to identify and even categorize different types of patients and attendees at events. I use it for editing and creating graphics and logos for customers that host events and in the medical field for patient wristbands at hospitals and clinics,” he told TF. “I have owned a licensed copy of Corel PrintShop Pro since 9/2016 and use it multiple times each day for work. Initial emails back and forth had him messing around in his computer’s registry in an effort to fix the problem but all the time he was unable to carry on with his job. Aside from having a valid license, his work ground to a halt. It’s not surprising that the user was upset at Corel remotely disabling his software. This is wrong, and something needs to be done about his practice,” he told us. I feel like Corel has hijacked my computer, my artwork and images and is preventing me from making a living just to sell another upgrade. “I get this extortion popup and threat to my means to make a living. “All save, export and print features will be permanently disabled,” it warns.Īccording to Corel, all of these problems can be solved with a click of the blue “BUY A LEGAL COPY NOW” button, something that made our contact extremely angry. Corel states that the copy in use is illegal and as a result, its functionality has been severely limited. “I am a valid and licensed user and Corel support has records of my license key and right to use this software on my work PC,” he told us.ĭespite paying the company as required, he received the following popup instead. While this is fair enough, what happens when it all goes wrong? Earlier this week, TorrentFreak was contacted by an angry Corel customer who was witnessing first hand what can happen when a piracy detection system blows a fuse. “In this manner, the user of the pirated version is given the opportunity to purchase a legitimate copy which, if acted on, increases revenue for the manufacturer.” “The amnesty offer may, for example, agree not to bring criminal charges in exchange for the user purchasing a legitimate copy of the product,” Corel’s patent reads. Earlier this year we reported on Corel’s efforts in this space after the company obtained a patent for a system which is able to offer an amnesty to illegal users via a popup. Most are available from torrent sites or file-hosting platforms, often arriving with a ‘crack’ that allows users to enjoy without paying.Ĭompanies often have sophisticated systems to detect unlicensed products, sometimes with the reasonable aim of attempting to convert pirates into paying consumers. Of course, piracy is a significant problem for the developers behind the majority of premium products. Open Source software can usually be obtained for free but millions of users opt for paid products that need to be licensed by the companies offering them. While the majority of computing devices come with sophisticated operating systems installed, users will almost certainly need to buy additional software to meet their needs.
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