If you can’t beat software pirates, at least make them feel guilty. That’s exactly what Alessandro Levi Montalcini is doing with people who use cracked codes to register his USB Overdrive software for Mac.
When people try to register OverDrive X with a pirated serial number, the software will still accept the code but not before showing this "Shame on Me" dialog box.
If you have trouble reading the message above, here’s the full Image via Nick.
*’ Your registration code is a PIRATE one. ** We can’t stop the hackers that generate codes, so we’ll accept your registration anyway.
However, there’s one thing you should know: you’re not stealing money from the big guys this time. You’re stealing from people who count on your honesty to make a living.
To hackers: we can play this game forever, but it’s not fun. More cracks, more checks. Why don’t we stop here? We already accept your codes, what else should we do?
Find this article at: http://www.labnol.org/software/shareware-software-also-guiltyware/6077/
Reader Comments
That makes sense, but wonder if that software is capable of catching pirated code for full registration , then y deosnt it blocks code simply instead of showing this Shame On Me text and yet I think many will dont care abt this.
But its a good move though :)
Written by Rohan on 12.17.08
Shame On Me! Very Funny!
But the message is loud and clear…
Written by TechThunder on 12.17.08
They are not gonna feel guilty. If they can think on these lines then piracy could have come to an end years ago.
Written by Sara P on 12.17.08
This will definitely make a change. Atleast few persons will stop using the crack codes.
Written by Vijay on 12.18.08
once i was installing an Islamic application (khashee)on my phone
it didn’t ask for a serial but a screen came up “i swear to god that i purchased this application” with two buttons “i swear” and “exit”
Written by amir on 12.18.08