RUMOR: Did Denuvo accidentally pirate some of their anti-piracy software?

[WMGroomAK]

Just had to post this even though it may be a rumor, but it appears that Denuvo Software Solutions may be using an unlicensed version of VMProtect Software as a part of it's anti-piracy software...  From the article at TechSpot:

http://www.techspot.com/news/69572-denuvo-allegedly-protected-own-anti-piracy-software-pirated.html

Quote

According to TorrentFreak, VMProtect Software has accused Denuvo Software Solutions of using an unlicensed version of its anti-piracy software. Three years ago, the two companies had been in talks regarding licensing terms. Denuvo wanted to use VMProtect's anti-piracy solution to protect its own software. VMProtect made it clear to Denuvo that because of the nature of the software, the standard $500 licensing fee would not be enough. This assertion makes sense considering Denuvo would be integrated into thousands of other pieces of software. Despite this, Denuvo decided to purchase a $500 license and use the software regardless.

It is worth noting that these allegations should be taken with a bit of skepticism since the source is an anonymous poster on a Russian forum that goes by the handle drVanо who claims to be a developer at VMProtect.

He maintains that VMProtect has informed Denuvo that they have revoked its license and offered to accept a modest compensation package, but Denuvo ignored the deal. VMProtect then contacted anti-virus company Sophos and requested that it start flagging “offending versions of Denuvo as potential malware.” The move to flag Denuvo as malware is not much more than a Bandaid to the larger concern, but drVano says that VMProtect is in the process of formulating a formal complaint with it ultimately leading to legal proceedings.

As the article states, the sources are a little bit sketchy, however, if there is some truth behind this, it seems kind of funny...  If anything, it may be a lesson to Denuvo to ensure their own licensing is in order.

 

UPDATE:  VMProtect Software has issued a formal statement clarifying that there are no open issues between VMProtect and Denuvo although it does not really provide any details...  

http://vmpsoft.com/20170606/vmprotect-and-denuvo-gmbh/

Quote

Hi there!

We were informed that there are open questions and some uncertainty about the use of our software by DENUVO GmbH.

Referring to this circumstance we want to clarify that DENUVO GmbH had the right to use our software in the past and has the right to use it currently as well as in the future.

In summary, no open issues exist between DENUVO GmbH and VMProtect Software for which reason you may ignore any other divergent information.

Whether there really was anything that happened in the background still isn't clear, however it would appear that Denuvo and VMProtect are currently in each others good graces.

Edited June 6, 2017 by WMGroomAK
Updated information

[Guest]

Who is Denuvo.

Who is VMProtect.

Who would care?

[Yamoto42]

5 minutes ago, WMGroomAK said:

VMProtect then contacted anti-virus company Sophos and requested that it start flagging “offending versions of Denuvo as potential malware.”

Am I the only person to whom this part stood out?

[WMGroomAK]

1 minute ago, Yamoto42 said:

Am I the only person to whom this part stood out?

I thought that was kind of interesting as well...  Would be nice to know if someone using Sophos Anti-Virus and trying to run a game with Denuvo DRM like Rime (although Rime is supposed to be updated to remove Denuvo) or Nier has noticed any issues recently...

[samcool55]

They didn't exactly pirate it, they just used software with the wrong license and voiding the Terms and Agreement thingy. Or whatever it's called.

[jagdtigger]

Now this is what i call ironic...

[WkdPaul]

Thread cleaned.

 

Please keep it on-topic.

[WMGroomAK]

1 minute ago, samcool55 said:

They didn't exactly pirate it, they just used software with the wrong license and voiding the Terms and Agreement thingy. Or whatever it's called.

I think if VMProtect actually does move forward with a legal case, that the question will be whether they knowingly used an improper license or not and whether they reverse engineered some of VMProtects software to implement their own software...  From reading the article, it sounds like Denuvo may have intentionally used the cheaper license instead of getting the proper one.  Of course, this appears to only be one side of the story so hopefully some more details come out on it...

[samcool55]

1 minute ago, WMGroomAK said:

I think if VMProtect actually does move forward with a legal case, that the question will be whether they knowingly used an improper license or not and whether they reverse engineered some of VMProtects software to implement their own software...  From reading the article, it sounds like Denuvo may have intentionally used the cheaper license instead of getting the proper one.  Of course, this appears to only be one side of the story so hopefully some more details come out on it...

If the story is true than yes, Denuvo knew because they told them a while ago the license wouldn't be sufficient and a more expensive one is required but no reaction, recently VMProtect pointed out what they are doing is wrong and gave them 1 last chance to get a decent key. Because VMProtect is now telling the world about it i assume Denuvo ignored/denied it once again and are in big trouble now.

[PlayStation 2]

There ain't no fucking coincidences when it comes to this shit. Generally it's hyper-hypocritical.

[Taf the Ghost]

1 hour ago, WMGroomAK said:

I thought that was kind of interesting as well...  Would be nice to know if someone using Sophos Anti-Virus and trying to run a game with Denuvo DRM like Rime (although Rime is supposed to be updated to remove Denuvo) or Nier has noticed any issues recently...

Sophos is used on a lot of corporate level stuff. Seen it used as an attack vector in political discussions before.

[tlink]

1 hour ago, samcool55 said:

They didn't exactly pirate it, they just used software with the wrong license and voiding the Terms and Agreement thingy. Or whatever it's called.

that.. is the definition of piracy.. its violating its copyright (unauthorized storage, reproduction, distribution, or sale of intellectual property).

[jeyaner90]

I wonder what Linus and Luke's reaction would be if this one's on the WAN Show.

[You_are_a_cunt]

Not pirating, just stealing.

[Tsuki]

11 hours ago, Dutch-stoner said:

Who is Denuvo.

Who is VMProtect.

Who would care?

-Denuvo is one of the biggest DRM companies out there right now, with the toughest encryption. theyre the ones who keep brand new games away from pirates.

-VMProtect is a software company that actually produces the DRM, its also used by companys like NCsoft, cyberlink, and elcomsoft.

-and only people who actually pay attention to this kinda stuff would care. i found it interesting, but its really not as interesting as the article portrays.

They didnt actually pirate anything. they were told that due to the nature of their business, they would need a different license than the one they are actually using, and they bought the wrong one anyways. its technically against the EULA and they could get in trouble if VMProtect decides to go after them, but nothing is gonna happen.

[sazrocks]

11 hours ago, samcool55 said:

They didn't exactly pirate it, they just used software with the wrong license and voiding the Terms and Agreement thingy. Or whatever it's called.

AKA Pirating.

[tlink]

40 minutes ago, revsilverspine said:

Not pirating, just stealing.

"you wouldn't steal a car"

[sof006]

15 hours ago, samcool55 said:

They didn't exactly pirate it, they just used software with the wrong license and voiding the Terms and Agreement thingy. Or whatever it's called.

and then ignored requests to use the correct license despite being told prior that they are not to use the current license for national distribution. 

[Misanthrope]

5 hours ago, Tsuki said:

-Denuvo is one of the biggest DRM companies out there right now, with the toughest encryption. theyre the ones who keep brand new games away from pirates.

-VMProtect is a software company that actually produces the DRM, its also used by companys like NCsoft, cyberlink, and elcomsoft.

-and only people who actually pay attention to this kinda stuff would care. i found it interesting, but its really not as interesting as the article portrays.

They didnt actually pirate anything. they were told that due to the nature of their business, they would need a different license than the one they are actually using, and they bought the wrong one anyways. its technically against the EULA and they could get in trouble if VMProtect decides to go after them, but nothing is gonna happen.

By the same token, if I own a game it's technically against the EULA for me to make backup copies of it or even download a copy of it if I want to. Yet the entire point of Denuvo is to basically deny legal rights like your right to make backups without questioning or taking into account fair use.

 

Sorry but if people can use hyperbolic arguments like "Piracy is theft!" it's only fair Denuvo is afforded the same benefit of doubt they're in the business of promoting: None.

[elfensky]

Iirc, the VMProtect made a statement about how it's all "good" between Denuvo and themselves. $$$ amirite.

[Doobeedoo]

This is so funny.

[WMGroomAK]

4 hours ago, ElfenSky said:

Iirc, the VMProtect made a statement about how it's all "good" between Denuvo and themselves. $$$ amirite.

I think I found a link for something related to this... Seems like some money might have exchanging hands to make things right.   I'll post an update on this...

 

http://vmpsoft.com/20170606/vmprotect-and-denuvo-gmbh/

[Blake]

On 6/6/2017 at 4:43 AM, Yamoto42 said:

Am I the only person to whom this part stood out?

Yep, That type of action makes me drop AV providers, I puchased Anti-Virus not Anti-CopyrightedMaterial.

On 6/6/2017 at 4:46 AM, WMGroomAK said:

I thought that was kind of interesting as well...  Would be nice to know if someone using Sophos Anti-Virus and trying to run a game with Denuvo DRM like Rime (although Rime is supposed to be updated to remove Denuvo) or Nier has noticed any issues recently...

Yeah I use Sophos, I didn't see any issues, if your using the cloud based one, you'll get an alert on your portal, and you can decide to block it if you want. Nothing like this ever came up, but I am not sure if I have any of these versions on my system.

 

[alphaproject]

Is this why Dishonored 2 just came out? ROTFL.

[SpaceGhostC2C]

I don't see what's "accidental" about the story as reported in the article...