Tax preparation software maker Intuit announced a plan last week to combat unlicensed use of its popular TurboTax title.
Starting with this tax season, all federal versions of TurboTax will require a product activation to ensure customers use the software in accordance with its license. The activation process will take place during the program’s installation and require the end user to register the product with Intuit either through the Internet or over the telephone.
The activation process will limit the person’s ability to e-file or print returns to the PC that is registered with Intuit. However, the software can be installed on other computers for basic preparation. It can also be given to someone else who can then go out and purchase a separate licensing agreement. This move will not limit the number of applications a single purchaser can process, just require that all the actual filing be completed on one PC.
