iWork '09, Apple's office productivity suite for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, no longer requires a serial number to be entered when bought boxed.
The product does not require online activation, consequently it appears that iWork '09 has no anti-piracy measure included whatsoever. This brings it into line with iLife, which also ships without a serial number.
The lack of serial number with iLife has often been put down to Apple's decision to ship the latest version with every Mac computer, reducing the need for anti-piracy measures. One suggestion is that iWork is following in iLife's footsteps and Apple may decide to bundle it with new Macs at some point.
Or it may simply be that Apple believes that the security measure is ineffective.
A note on the Apple support website reads:
"iWork '09 retail boxes no longer come with a serial number. Install iWork '09 from the enclosed disc and you're ready to go."
However says Apple, those who have downloaded the 30 day trial version and wish to upgrade after the trial has ended will still need a serial number.
"Though retail versions of iWork '09 no longer come with serial numbers, you will need a serial number if you are using the iWork '09 trial version and decide to purchase the fully-functional version of iWork '09," says Apple.
"To upgrade to a fully-functional version of iWork '09, open any of the trial applications. Click the "Buy" button and enter the requested information. An email will be sent to you with the serial number you need to upgrade."
"Note: If you are using the trial version of iWork '09 and then purchase a retail box, you will not need a serial number. Install iWork from the disc that came with your retail box to begin using your fully-functional version of iWork '09."
iWork '09 includes Keynote '09, Pages '09 and Numbers '09 and costs 69.00 for a 'Single User' and 85.00 for a 'Family Pack' despite no longer requiring a serial number.
iWork '09 is also included in a Mac Box Set, which adds iLife '09 including iPhoto '09, iMovie '09, GarageBand '09, iWeb '09, and iDVD, and a copy of Mac OS X v10.5.6 Leopard.
The Mac Box Set costs 149.
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