It takes a lot to shock us on the Pro Tools Expert team, but when we got this email from one of our plugin developer friends this week we were shocked at the lengths some people go to justify stealing.

A developer friend of ours sold a plugin from their web store and then a few days later the credit card company issued what is called a 'chargeback' on the transaction meaning that the person was claiming they had never used their credit card for this transaction. Giving the buyer the benefit of the doubt the seller emailed them to raise the issue to see what had gone wrong, this is the reply they received. Note some minor changes have been made to protect the identity of the vendor.

I used a stolen credit card. Never meant to hurt any one as its just software code and you are a rich man, I thought you would just let it slide as paypal will give the money back to the card owner.

Just want to create good sounding music so I can get a producer song writer record deal. The more my music sounds professional the faster they will give me attention your app if one of the best reverb out there.

I can not afford the real gears so I go for the plugs. I now have 3 fully commercial sounding songs produced and written. When I reach to 20 songs Ill head out for a record deal. When I make it and can afford stuff   I will stop.

We all have to start from some where mine is a bit dainty but the sun will shine soon.

Sorry man no heart feelings

Take it easy and take care of the Fam.

Regards (sic)

When we read this we spat our coffee, especially the last line about taking care of the family. Has this thief not connected the dots and realised that they take care of their family is by selling plugins.

This is how a thief justifies their actions but there is no such thing as a victimless crime. Furthermore we advise any seller to use both the credit card companies and the law enforcement authorities to bring prosecutions whenever possible.

Even worse as a result of this article the theft responded explaining why he did it . You can read the emails in full in our follow up article Thief Responds To Our Article On Him Stealing - Developer Replies

Little Or No Money? Then Check out these articles…

If you want to make great sounding tracks and don't have the money then don't steal, use things like our free Pro Tools plugins - there are a lot of great ones about.

We also have some excellent articles aimed at those with little money like 3 Things To Use Instead Of Cracked Plugins - Make Amazing Tracks Without Breaking The Law.