Is It Okay to Use Cracked Software If the Company No Longer Exists?

Legally, it's a bit of a grey area. There's actually a term called 'abandonware' that you might want to look into. Since the software isn't being supported anymore, the risks might be low, but you should definitely weigh your options carefully.

Honestly, I don’t think anyone would come after you for downloading it. Most people just want to use the software and won’t be checking on old programs.

Who cares, right? I use a cracked version of Photoshop 6 because I’m fed up with all the updates messing with my workflow. Realistically, no one is checking on these old versions.

If the company is out of business and no one has purchased the IP rights, chances are you’ll be just fine using it. But be aware that there might be some entity out there that holds the rights, even if they aren’t pursuing anyone.

It really depends on the specifics. If the software has associated media that’s still under license, that could complicate things. Also, if it's part of a series that's still ongoing, you might run into issues. It’s worth asking yourself why you want to use abandonware instead of supported software. If it’s just for the free access, then you’re probably in the clear.