Software Deletes Files to Defend Against Piracy 544
teamhasnoi writes "Back in 2004, we discussed a program that deleted your home directory on entry of a pirated serial number. Now, a new developer is using the same method to protect his software, aptly named Display Eater. In the developers's own words, 'There exist several illegal cd-keys that you can use to unlock the demo program. If Display Eater detects that you are using these, it will erase something. I don't know if this is going to become Display Eater policy. If this level of piracy continues, development will stop.'"
convinced me (Score:5, Funny)
No, development will stop as police take computers (Score:5, Funny)
Uh, no. Development will stop as the police collect your computers as evidence that you are the developer and distributor of software that intentionally erases files without user permission.
Re:Aren't there laws against this? (Score:3, Funny)
MOD PARENT UP, but (Score:3, Funny)
...on a side note, Bush has taken care of that [theonion.com].
;)
How to do this legally (Score:5, Funny)
Attention Users! Version 2099.0999 X of my software now comes with a special new feature! File deletion! To enable this great new feature, please find a pirated software key on the web and enter it. Any files that you have in "C:\Documents and Settings" will be deleted.
FAQ for possible problems using this great new feature:
Mac OSX (Score:3, Funny)
Vigilante justice (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Well, that sure backfired (Score:5, Funny)
Hmmm...he seems to have developed the ultimate form of copy protection. Maybe the **AAs will give him a medal or something.
Re:Aren't there laws against this? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Aren't there laws against this? (Score:5, Funny)
I knew it was a good idea to read Slashdot one last time before leaving for work !
Re:Aren't there laws against this? (Score:2, Funny)
Yeah, that's just not reich.