V.i. Labs CodeArmor Intelligence Gets Even Smarter; Version 2.0 Gives ISVs Greater
Control and Discovery Options for Dealing with Unlicensed and Pirated Software Use
New research also now available that details larger, more decentralized piracy
distribution channels and networks available to masses of businesses and individuals
WALTHAM, Mass — September 16, 2009 - V.i. Laboratories, (“V.i. Labs”), a
leading provider of
piracy business intelligence and software protection solutions, introduced the newest
version of CodeArmor® Intelligence, which now gives ISVs a greater ability to take
proactive, actionable steps -- including remotely triggering an appropriate response
when software is being used illegally. Available today, CodeArmor Intelligence 2.0
also offers enhanced reporting capabilities that capture additional evidence that
ISVs can use to pursue claims against illegal use of their software products.
Once illegal activity is detected, CodeArmor Intelligence now provides a dynamic
notification capability that allows ISVs to respond to illegal use and alter the
behavior of the unlicensed application. The notification can be focused through
granular rules configured on the gateway server to only target specific machines,
organizations or even geographic regions. Unlike traditional piracy response mechanisms
that can impact licensed customers, CodeArmor Intelligence's dynamic notification
can be activated at any point in time, and is based on forensic evidence that the
software is being used unlicensed.
Vendors can implement custom responses around the CodeArmor Intelligence notification
capabilities to display warnings, reduce functionality, or even revoke access. This
added control gives ISVs the leverage they need to escalate responses and better
their chances of recovering lost revenue.
“We are providing vendors with a powerful tool that specifically targets software
that is being used illegally - not licensed applications - to help ISVs identify
and notify companies who are in violation of software compliance rules and regulations.
This gives vendors increased flexibility in dealing with companies that are using
unlicensed software,” said Victor DeMarines, VP of Products, Vi Labs. “By having
the ability to dynamically alter the way their pirated applications work and collecting
additional forms of evidence, ISVs have a better chance to pursue a claim and recover
revenue that is rightly theirs.”
New mechanisms and reporting capabilities in CodeArmor Intelligence identify organizations
using pirated software by capturing details of what the user is working on as evidence.
This aids in directly identifying the infringing organization and offers direct,
indisputable evidence that ISVs, distributors, legal firms or third party negotiators
can use to recover lost revenue.
Data compiled from multiple software vendors' deployments of CodeArmor Intelligence
has revealed interesting findings:
- Nearly 80 percent have identified instances of overuse by existing customers who
were using cracked software
- All have seen licensing cracks and usage by individuals or groups before the wider
piracy scene release has been available
“The types of data provided by CodeArmor Intelligence gives software vendors the
much needed proof they require when approaching companies they suspect are illegally
using software,” said Dave Graubart, co-chair of the Electronic Design Automation Consortium's Anti-Piracy Committee.
“Having this granular information that targets true illegal use as part of an initial
presentation makes it much easier to negotiate and recapture license revenue.”
Other enhancements to CodeArmor Intelligence v2.0 include configuration of local
encrypted log files, which allows infringement data to be logged locally when the
computer is not connected to the Internet. This is especially useful during support
call scenarios and license compliance audits where the vendor may be on-site. Also
included are improved data integration capabilities with internal CRM and reporting
systems, and a new user interface that allows companies to easily configure CodeArmor
Intelligence with their applications. Reporting can also be disabled based on country
or region, providing a deeper layer of granularity so ISVs can customize their information
based upon the countries they are investigating or monitoring.
Newest Software Piracy Risk Assessment Report Validates Intelligence Approach for
ISVs
In the second in a series of research reports released today, V.i. Labs shows that
the channels used to announce, distribute and download pirated software are more
extensive and decentralized than previously believed. Traditional networks like
BitTorrent and Usenet are still relevant for sharing pirated software, but are being
dwarfed by the ease with which large applications can be uploaded onto numerous
file hosting services and linked to across the Web.
Software vendors have an opportunity to leverage this channel, however, and to gain
business intelligence into the pirated use of their software. By understanding how
their software releases are enabled for piracy, ISVs can implement piracy detection
and reporting technology within their software to quantify the extent to which their
pirated software is used, in what locales or regions, and further identify the actual
businesses using the software for revenue recovery programs. For a free copy of
the report, please visit: www.vilabs.com/offers/Software_Piracy_Report_2009_pt2.aspx
Pricing and Availability
CodeArmor Intelligence 2.0 is available now. Pricing is a tiered annual subscription
based on an ISV's product revenue. Companies wishing to learn more about the extent
of their piracy problems can sign up for a free automated software piracy alert
service by visiting: www.vilabs.com/piracyalerts.
About V.i. Laboratories (V.i. Labs)
V.i. Labs offers Piracy Business Intelligence and Software Protection solutions
that enable companies to recover revenue and protect their software IP by detecting,
reporting, and preventing the misuse of their applications. Its CodeArmor® platform
delivers business intelligence on unlicensed use to uncover new revenue streams
and hardens applications against theft and tampering. V.i. Labs is privately held
and is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more information, please visit www.vilabs.com.
For more information, please visit www.vilabs.com.
©2009 V.i. Laboratories, Inc. All rights reserved. V.i. Labs, the V.i. Labs
logo, and CodeArmor are trademarks or registered trademarks of V.i. Laboratories,
Inc. All other product and brand names herein are trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective owners.
Contacts:
Michael Goff
V.i. Laboratories, Inc.
781.398.3451
mgoff[at]vilabs.com
@vilabs
Daniel Thompson/Randi Sussman
PAN Communications
978.474.1900
vilaboratories[at]pancomm.com
@dthompson06