Reporting pirated software sales

[reddprime]

HI! 

I purchased a copy of Affinity Designer on eBay, thinking it was a legit version for a lower price.

I received a link to download, and instructions on how to install the software, as soon as I saw that there was a Keygen I contacted the seller as I do not wish to use pirated software, the seller did refund me. How do I report the seller for selling illegal versions of Affinity?

 

 

[Adam]

Reddprime,

I've sent you an email.

Let me know the information as soon as possible and I'll look at helping you out.

Thanks,

Adam :-)

[reddprime]

Thank you Adam, 

I have responded to your mail.

[Nikos Mouratidis]

Same here. I bought Designer from you guys some months ago and I'm a happy user, so I thought I should go ahead and buy Photo as well. Sadly, I realized the long standing offer for 25 USD had expired and 50 USD seemed a little too much for me as I rarely deal with raster images (yeah, I know it's still a bargain for most people). I ended up searching for offers or coupons, I thought maybe someone bought it in the 25 USD era and could be willing to sell it.

Anyway, long story short, I ended up on ebay.co.uk, to a listing advertising "genuine license" for 3.5 GBP! I bought it and I received a download link for the software, which included Photo indeed but in a very odd setup. The application was repackaged with something called "Turbo.net" which I googled and found to be legitimate software. Apparently, the seller bought one copy from you, she/he installed it on their computer, and used this Turbo.net piece of software to create a sandboxed package that can be deployed on other computers.

After googling, I didn't even try to run, so I don't know if it runs eventually. I told the seller that this is piracy - he disagreed but upon insisting he did return my money. I see at least one review of his "shop" with a happy customer so I think this package might actually work.

His shop is still active, and I still have his Google Drive download link if you wish to investigate.

[Alfred]

55 minutes ago, Nikos Mouratidis said:

I ended up searching for offers or coupons, I thought maybe someone bought it in the 25 USD era and could be willing to sell it.

Licences for the Affinity apps are tied to the original purchaser’s email address and are not transferable. I’m glad you managed to get your money back!

[wonderings]

3 hours ago, Nikos Mouratidis said:

Same here. I bought Designer from you guys some months ago and I'm a happy user, so I thought I should go ahead and buy Photo as well. Sadly, I realized the long standing offer for 25 USD had expired and 50 USD seemed a little too much for me as I rarely deal with raster images (yeah, I know it's still a bargain for most people). I ended up searching for offers or coupons, I thought maybe someone bought it in the 25 USD era and could be willing to sell it.

Anyway, long story short, I ended up on ebay.co.uk, to a listing advertising "genuine license" for 3.5 GBP! I bought it and I received a download link for the software, which included Photo indeed but in a very odd setup. The application was repackaged with something called "Turbo.net" which I googled and found to be legitimate software. Apparently, the seller bought one copy from you, she/he installed it on their computer, and used this Turbo.net piece of software to create a sandboxed package that can be deployed on other computers.

After googling, I didn't even try to run, so I don't know if it runs eventually. I told the seller that this is piracy - he disagreed but upon insisting he did return my money. I see at least one review of his "shop" with a happy customer so I think this package might actually work.

His shop is still active, and I still have his Google Drive download link if you wish to investigate.

I am guessing $50 does not seem so steep now considering the time spent trying to find it cheaper and then getting something not legit and have to go about getting your money back. As you said the software is a bargain at full price. Hopefully others see this before going doing the same route you and the OP did. 

 

[Nikos Mouratidis]

22 hours ago, wonderings said:

I am guessing $50 does not seem so steep now considering the time spent trying to find it cheaper and then getting something not legit and have to go about getting your money back. As you said the software is a bargain at full price. Hopefully others see this before going doing the same route you and the OP did. 

 

Well... as I see it, steepness is a relative thing. What one finds a steal, another may find just ok and another may find it a little bit over his budget. Not all of us live the same lives, earn the same, or use the software so much that we can have ROI. And there's nothing wrong about looking for legitimate alternatives and bargains - I guess that's how most people find Designer and Photo, by searching a legitimate alternative to the Adobe counterparts, which sadly are the industry standard.

And when those who do search for alternative ways, post their experience to warn others, I think that's something useful.

On the other hand, when someone comments "you wanted something cheaper and it blew up in your face! How do you feel now, did it worth the trouble?", I wonder, is that also something useful?