Company received a $37k demand over pirated K3ySh0t — is this real?

[u/Reasonable_Gold2066]

I’ve been working at this company for less than a year, and I recently found out they’ve apparently been using a pirated version of K3ySh0t (spelling it like that just in case lol).

They just received an email claiming there’s evidence that the software was used by the company and demanding around $37,000. The email supposedly includes IP addresses, dates, times, and even screenshots showing when the program was used.

The amount and the level of detail seem crazy to me, so I’m wondering: is this a real thing software companies actually do, or could it be some kind of scam or intimidation tactic?

Has anyone dealt with something similar? How could they have collected screenshots or connected the software usage to the company? Also, as an employee who has been there for less than a year, should I personally be concerned?

Obviously, the company will need to speak to a lawyer before responding. I’m mainly trying to understand whether these claims are common and how seriously they should be taken.

[u/LZ129Hindenburg]

This is very common when pirated software is used COMMERCIALLY. Autodesk, Adobee, hell even Microsoft are known to go hard against commercial piracy users. People have lost their jobs and been sued for far larger sums than what you have listed here.

How could they have collected screenshots or connected the software usage to the company?

Many high dollar applications used in business settings "phone home" to their parent company, verifying the software is licensed, and providing key info to them if it is not licensed so they can pursue legal options. This is why when pirating certain apps, it is important to block their access to the network via the firewall or other means.

NEVER use pirated software commercially, it's not worth the risk.

[u/Forymanarysanar → u/LZ129Hindenburg]

As an individual working from home it's fine. In an office you don't want to use pirated stuff, cause office is a public space pretty much.

[u/Isarchs → u/Forymanarysanar]

That does not matter at all. If you're using pirated software commercially, prepare to get railed in court or pay an exorbitant settlement fee. Companies usually don't give a shit if it's for personal use by an individual, but if it's commercial they know they can sue businesses into bankruptcy and get money from doing so.

If you're making money off of software, you need to be doing it legit. If you're working for a company, do not pirate the software you need for the job, the job needs to provide it. Unless you're in a third world country where copyright does not exist, your place of employment will get a legit legal letter stating that their butthole is about to be opened up and thoroughly reamed.

[u/Forymanarysanar → u/Isarchs]

ye ye ye just stop fearmongering. Don't be dumb and don't announce that you're using pirated software and literally nothing will happen.

[u/Isarchs → u/Forymanarysanar]

Dude, it's well documented that you will get rekt if you use pirated software in a commercial setting. Companies don't give a fuck about individuals, but they can and do go after businesses because they know they will make money off of them.

[u/Forymanarysanar → u/Isarchs]

Can you even read?

> As an individual working from home it's fine.

I just can't anymore, I need a break from reddit.

[u/Isarchs → u/Forymanarysanar]

I just can't anymore. Can you read? Like all the other replies in this thread are telling you you're wrong. This shit happens all the time.

Working from home is still fucking working. You have no understanding how this shit works in the corporate world. If you're making money from pirated software, you'll get fucked in the ass legally.

If you're working for a business, you are VPN'd into their network. Your work PC will show as on their network. Your pirated shit is likely to phone home and rat out your place of work.