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Single Software Licence Shared 774,651 Times

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the running-rampant dept.

nk497 writes "A single licence for Avast security software has been used by 774,651 people after it went viral on a file-sharing site. Avast noticed that a license for its paid-for security software, sold to a 14-user firm in Arizona, was being distributed online. Rather than shut down the piracy, the company decided to see how far the software would spread — it's since popped up in 200 countries, including the Vatican City. Now, the company is turning it into a marketing opportunity, with a pop-up encouraging users of the pirated copy to download a legal copy of the free or paid-for version. Avast isn't sure how many pirates have gone legal, but said some have made the switch."

7 of 446 comments (clear)

  1. They didn’t sue them... by clone52431 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, that’s a good start, I guess.

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    1. Re:They didn’t sue them... by kevinNCSU · · Score: 4, Insightful

      You were probably just going for the funny play on words, but the Vatican has very deep pockets and has been navigating the legal and political structures of countries across the globe for longer than a lot of countries have existed. I can't think of a less appealing target to get in a legal battle with.

    2. Re:They didn’t sue them... by swillden · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The Vatican has very deep pockets and its argumentative strategies are generally a leap of faith.

      The first part of that is true, but the second... I don't think it could be more wrong. Theologians are people whose life is debating and thinking about minute points of logic, finding ways to interpret texts to mean what they want them to mean and devising detailed logical arguments in support of their positions. They're more lawyerly than lawyers.

      Your comment reminds me of Richard Feynman's attempt to logically confound Jewish seminary students. He failed, utterly.

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  2. And now they got a free ad on Slashdot! by mattdm · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Amazing how that works.

  3. I think Microsoft might have them beat... by wolrahnaes · · Score: 5, Insightful

    FCKGW-RHQQ2...

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    I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
  4. uh...what? by Pojut · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The pirating of legally-free software never ceases to amuse me...I know the licence is for a "paid" version of the program, but still, for personal users, the "free" version is more than sufficient. That being said, Avast's response to this has been PERFECT.

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    Living With a Nerd
  5. paradox by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The paradox might be that pirate sites are trusted more by users than antivirus creators.