You have a text file called keys.txt on an external hard drive. It contains serials for Windows 7, Sony Vegas, and a defunct antivirus from 2009. You don't pirate anymore, but you keep the keys like trophies.

: If you plan to move the software to a new computer, look for a "Deactivate" option first to "release" the key for reuse. Activating (or Updating) the Serial Key Online - Syteca

While prosecuting individual users is rare, it does happen. Corporations have been fined heavily for using unlicensed software. In the US and EU, distributing cracked software is a felony under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Even downloading can trigger cease-and-desist letters from your ISP.

: Users occasionally encounter "already used" keys or technical hiccups during the initial delivery process [14].