Adsolution wrote:Shrooblord wrote:I completely see your point, but regarding legality, using any assets created with pirated software is basically not doable. You'll need to recreate assets 'based on' the ones you made in pirated software, i.e. recreate them from scratch using the old ones as 'sketches' only, or throw them out altogether.
Practically speaking, or morally speaking? Practically speaking that obviously isn't so - if you're super paranoid you could just change resave the files to change the creation date if anyone even cares. Morally speaking, can you elaborate?
Morally, no - if you feel alright using pirated software, then there are no objections. If you do object but still use it, then you should look carefully into yourself and wonder why you're betraying your own principles. That's all I've got to say about morality in this matter.
Practically, of course, you can find ways to hide it. I'm not saying you should buy the tools just in case they find out you cracked them. I'm saying that
if they find out and you sold stuff, you're screwed. And as such, if you plan on selling future work, don't steal the tools, basically. If you want to cover your ass, play it safe.
Mind that I've always implied 'if'. I'm not advocating either side of this per se - I just mean that
if you want to sell, think about where you stand legally. If you think you're covered, you're covered. What happens after you submit your work to the market is all your (you, metaphorical reader of this post, not you personally, Addy, though you too are included as a metaphorical reader of this post, yes) business and none of mine.
I have one last thing to add to this, and that's this text from FruityLoops' website that basically changed my whole outlook on using pirated software and regarding the legality of used software:
http://www.image-line.com/company/stoppirating.php
Specifically, points 4, 8 and 9 made an impact on me. Not immediately as such, but they got me thinking about the matter and inspired my current views on the matter.
All in all, if you want to
A ) support your product's creators;
B ) sell your (future) work; or
C ) appeal to your moral 'good' - if not pirating means something to you morally,
you'll need to buy it. It's as simple as that. Some programs come with lovely, free alternatives. Others have free trials, cheap dummy-versions (fuck you, crippleware piece of shit Photoshop Elements 11 - PE8 was a dream), free student programs (thank you, Autodesk!~), free beta trials leading up to cheaper-to-buy final products or massive sales (Native Instruments 80% off sales - what?!). Look around for opportunities to make the program fit your budget, if you're set on using that one program but can't make your budget fit its price.
Or pirate. Whatever. Just starting debates here. I love inciting talk and getting people thinking about things.
Oh, and OCG, thanks, I'll keep that in mind next time I think of a legal conundrum.