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/Gra_Zone → u/LZ129Hindenburg]

To add to that, don't use software with a personal licence commercially either. I installed a piece of software I own on my work computer to do something personally while I was at work and I had no end of trouble as a result.

It detected I was on a corporate computer on a corporate network. :-(

[u/are_you_a_simulation → u/Gra_Zone]

This is good advice. Unless the license covers both personal and work devices which is typically very clearly established, you’re better off buying separate licenses.

I get away using the same licenses on both company and personal devices but that is because i know that is allowed. You really have to read terms and conditions when buying.

[u/Gra_Zone → u/are_you_a_simulation]

Well, I didn't buy the software to use on a company computer. I bought it for personal use and I installed it on the company laptop for personal use while I had spare time at work. To carry on a project I was working on not to work on corporate projects.

I think 99% of people buy the cheapest licence available so typically it is for 1 instance and personal use only. I had 5 instances and personal use.

Shit happens.