Software Piracy. The What and the Why.

Is your Scan Tool the Real Deal?

It’s fair to say that high-quality diagnostic equipment is one of the most valuable tools in a technician’s toolbox. Being able to plug in to a vehicle and run a software  program that accurately identifies the source of a problem has helped technicians save a great deal of  time and money, and has streamlined the whole process of vehicle service and repair.

But what if your equipment is providing unauthorized information? Software piracy is an increasingly growing counterfeit problem, where counterfeiters are cloning and selling original equipment diagnostics hardware and software to the aftermarket. Specific to the hardware, the physical module is cloned to look exactly like the official branded hardware.

The same holds true for the diagnostics software. Counterfeiters hack into the software programming, clone it and sell it with the cloned hardware or online. In fact, 99 percent of counterfeit hardware and software is sold online. After all, a correct diagnosis depends on the accuracy of the information in the software and the ability of the hardware to take the correct readings from the vehicle. 

Using pirated hardware and software could potentially compromise the vehicle’s integrity during diagnosis and repair, translating to more comebacks, as well as a potential safety risk. You also risk damaging the hardware and invalidating the warranty.

And if they experience a problem after using pirated software or a counterfeit license, Delphi will not be able to support the cloned product or pirated software.

Can you be absolutely certain that your software contains up-to-date and valid information? Do you know for sure that your hardware is capable of running the correct tests and decoding the messages the car is sending it? If you bought your diagnostics hardware from a Delphi approved supplier, and have updated your official Delphi software with a valid License Key, then the answer is Yes.

You can be absolutely confident that you have access to the very latest Delphi solutions, training, expert support, and lifetime warranty if the software stays continuously in subscription. The information contained within Delphi software is copyrighted, and it is illegal to access it without purchasing a license.

Another way to spot counterfeit software? The color of the CD… the counterfeit one is pink. Additionally, when installing with one of the pirated discs it can promptly cause the PC to fail. When the disc was inserted into a different PC, the same failure occurred, rendering the disc useless.