Adobe and Autodesk lock that kind of thing down. There is one place you buy Adobe stuff online and get around it, but Autodesk have systems in place (as do Softimage, etc) for resellers.
Unfortunate? Was he? I don't think they should 'pick'... but they should be allowed to ask. Keep in mind, I'm not saying there should be a repeat of that thread allowed... I'm only saying the topic should be allowed to be brought up, or people should be free to inquire as to whether someone has purchased the software.
And yet you think folks should choose to pick on this one unfortunate fellow when they don't even know for fact that he pirated it?
Unfortunate? Was he? I don't think they should 'pick'... but they should be allowed to ask. Keep in mind, I'm not saying there should be a repeat of that thread allowed... I'm only saying the topic should be allowed to be brought up, or people should be free to inquire as to whether someone has purchased the software.