Is this software counterfeit

[DDY]

Hi,

I bought Paint Shop Pro 9 a long time ago but lost the disk recently so bought another one off eBay but I suspect this one is a counterfeit copy.

The disk came in a paper sleeve with a plastic window, the disk itself looks like a CD-R as the underside is green and there isn't a serial number like other legitimate mass production CDs have, the paint on the CD face comes off easily. The installation splash screen looks different, sorta less professional than the original one.

I'm certain this is counterfeit, what do you think?

Image of splash
Image of CD face
Image of the reading side
Link to ebay item

What should I do if you reckon it's a fake? Email eBay or email the seller? The seller is all the way in the US (I'm in UK) and I don't want to send it back because I doubt the seller will refund the postage, both ways which costs loads.

Thanks,
DDY

[dangel]

We have jasc discs at work and they're properly printed - this one looks like the dodgy copies I can buy in malaysia when i'm over there.

How about reporting it to Jasc? Ebay (usually) don't give a monkeys.

[Jay]

looks fake to me

[Agent]

Fake - thats a CDR. No way would something as big as PainshopPro come on a non-pressed (silver) disk.

That and the menu install menu text is very blurred. From a image editing program?

[Agent]

Jasc Paint Shop Pro 9

You can clearly see the silver at the centre (meaning its pressed at a factory) on that disk

[SiM]

Fake... but I doubt that you will get refunded though...

[DDY]

Thanks for the replies, I just tried to contact Corel (they bought Jasc) but after registering, going through various FAQs before I was allowed to email them, typing out the message and filling out various forms...

Thank you for contacting Corel Customer Support Services.

Please Note: Technical support is no longer available for this product.

Dammit... If corel don't care then I guess it's OK to use this copy of PSP9 - but no, I have values, time to contact Paypal?

EDIT: Oh wait a minute... nopiracy@corel.com

[Hicks12]

you could if you wanted too, take it up in legal action. Imo as long as it works its OK as you havent paid an extreme for it, but if you think its needed then contact ebay first. Then, paypal and escalate the problem with them both.

[moogle]

Fake... but I doubt that you will get refunded though...

start a paypal dispute. I got cod4 off ebay, waited for it to come and then on the day of it arriving I saw teh Cod4 limited pc edition bargain on hexus for less than what i'd paid. The disc arrived. fake obviously with a razor1911 nfo file on the cd. Started a dispute straight away saying it's fake I can give proof etc and I want my money back. The seller didn't reply because he knew it was a fake too and I got my £20 back and got the real edition

So start that dispute in paypal. And DON'T cancel it or set it to solved or something if the buyer says he'll refund you out of paypal or something. Just let it escalate to a direct claim and if he puts up a fight show the proof. Like show them your pictures and say this is what a real one is meant to be and show Agents pic. Soon enough you'll have all the money refunded back to your paypal or cc.

[Lucio]

Is ANY software on e-bay legitimate? I thought it was a pretty safe bet that all software sold there is a fake copy...

[Betty_Swallocks]

Not all. A lot of it is from overseas markets such as Thailand.

When Half Life 2 came out both i and my son wanted a copy which I couldn't afford to buy for both of us at UK prices so I bought 2 copies from Thailand for less than the cost of one in the shops here.

Definitely legal. Steam accepted it with no problem at all although installing it with all the dialogue boxes in Thai was an adventure.

I don't feel guilty about doing it. If the software companies set different prices in different parts of the world why shouldn't we shop around? It's the same as looking out for the cheapest petrol station and filling up there rather than the expensive one next to your house.

[dangel]

Yeah I got a splinter cell game from the far east came without the box (but had the cardboard and serial) and the disc was real too. The serial passed for online authentication for MP too so it was def. real.

[moogle]

Is ANY software on e-bay legitimate? I thought it was a pretty safe bet that all software sold there is a fake copy...

sometimes, i've had ut2004 and 2003 off there legit thank god.

[DDY]

I'll talk to Paypal about it tonight, I've bought a counterfeit GBA cartridge on eBay before but had backing from ELSPA and Nintendo who said they'll help me if the seller didn't give in, fortunately the seller agreed and I got a full refund, albeit for £4.

Thanks for the help, I'll keep you all updated.

[hse180]

As Alexander O'Neil would say:

You're a fake
Baby
You can't conceal it

Know how I know
'cause I can feel it

[DDY]

Good news, the seller has fully refunded the item.

A dispute was raised via Paypal, I demanded a full unconditional refund and the seller gave in. Once the refund was issued the seller asked for positive feedback, seller needs a slap.

Thanks for the help everyone