Malwarebytes is giving away licenses to pirates

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Malwarebytes has announced an amnesty program to convert all counterfeit keys of its programs to legitimate ones in order to protect users from further abuse or piracy.

Pirated software often comes with its own share of risks such as spyware, keyloggers and of course lack of official support from the developers. Sometimes people end up with such software even without knowing, from vendors or friends who have been using unlicensed or cracked apps.

Now, Malwarebytes has offered to help out such users with a 12-month license of its premium anti-malware software. In order to claim a legitimate key, users need to open the software and enter their keys, mention how they obtained those and a new key will be issued immediately.

It seems the company is revamping its licensing system and valid license users will have to go through the process as well. According to VentureBeat, the move has been hit with a few complaints from paying customers who were miffed by the arrangement, but the company's founder has issued a statement saying:

I know this doesn’t excuse those who feel cheated because they bought the software. I am happy to work with you on some free shirts, or a free copy of anti-exploit as you continue to support us through this process

However, for those users who did end up with counterfeit licenses, it is a good opportunity to get a proper license.

Posted:
Related Forum: PC General Forum

Source: http://www.neowin.net/news/malwarebytes-is-giving-away-licenses-to-pirates

Comments

"Malwarebytes is giving away licenses to pirates" :: Login/Create an Account :: 36 comments

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SassPosted:

Seems like a dumb idea. So many people are going to find pirated keys and get this free. I paid for it but have no problem with people getting it free. One less of forum post about malware

VauxhallPosted:

Not bad but kinda stupid in a way

CartierPosted:

Kou So basically they're embracing piracy, commit piracy and we'll give you a free license, this is idiotic.


Couldn't agree more. But its publicity for them so I'm sure its for another reason.

MonokumaPosted:

So basically they're embracing piracy, commit piracy and we'll give you a free license, this is idiotic.

MickersPosted:

Pretty nice of them! Not many companies would do this.

VatasyPosted:

This is pretty smart of them tbh.

SundownsSunPosted:

So it means that I can get another free program and a shirt? Awesome.

gtapro151Posted:

so they can blacklist all the fake key haha nice

DisapprovePosted:

Man thats awesome, smart move on their part.

xxRider702xxPosted:

Liability I admit it, I have used a pirated version. So when I went to update, they gave me a choice to enter the code I had bought or say I didn't buy one. It ended up me having a free year of it, so I'm happy.


Did you read the article.? It says they were exchnging the bad for real copies.