let me add a counterexample here: i have a really expensive backup software for which the serial number has been lost somewhen and obviously nobody ever registered it at the vendor's website.This however does seem to fall under "responsible for taking care on things." :)
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The analogy with a car is not, I think, a perfect one. If, for example, you lose the key to your "Mercedes" (or any other car) you can get another without paying for a new car. You can insure your car against loss or theft, but the price of the key is, most likely, less than the deductible.
The basic problem with using this analogy is that automobile manufacturers do not confront the same problems as software manufacturers. There are, so far as I know, no ubiquitously available, inexpensive, automobile duplicating machines that would allow you to make perfectly functional copies of your Mercedes (and thus get two or ten for the price of one + the cost of the "duplicator" and materials) while software can be copied in just such fashion from hard drive to hard drive. Hence the need for copy protection.
However the problem of lost or stolen Vienna keys may need to be thought through more comprehensively so that, if possible, some kind of technical solution might be offered. (What if, for example, the first time a key was inserted into a computer, it required a visit to the Syncorosoft site for an authorization check - - so that keys reported lost or stolen could then be automatically deauthorized.) In the meantime, buy insurance.
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the analogy with a car is far away from beeing perfect but to spin your objection further: since copying of software happens at almost no costs consequently the first specimen of a software should be paid and all following ones almost free (because only copies) .... obviously also not applying.
additionally the situation is different because we don't talk about software but copyrighted content - you can get a replacement for your ViennaInstruments or ViennaEnsemble software whenever you like.
as posted earlier: any alternate method like *touching a server* or actually *touching when inserted into a new computer* needs extensive considerations of pros and cons.
many music computers (if not most) are not connected to the internet, thats why i find the offline license download so useful.
the only occasion such a method could even work is when a license is beeing transferred or added, in case the dongle is kept offline you never have a chance to check.
christian
and remember: only a CRAY can run an endless loop in just three seconds. -
Hi I wonder if you could help me out wit an issue I've had with my Vienna key... I bought the Special edition, got it up and running and within a week my key has just stopped working, won't be detected at all. So I got hold of support and they asked me to send it to them and they'll take a look at it and if there's not huge damage, they'll send me a new one with my license on it. They also offered me in teh mean time a demo license (which I'd have to get a new key for) Will this demo license work with my already installed samples and software? I really don't want to have to go through the sh**ty process of organising my soundsets and installations again haha Do you know how it works?
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Forgive me if this has been answered already...
I'm not worried about losing my key, I keep it in a safe place and if it gets stolen well then thats just sods law. I'm just worried about breaking it from inserting/re-inserting it whenever I use it - sometimes the red light doesn't light up when I insert it for instance and I have to try again). I'm glad we can return it and get a replacement by covering the postage costs.
I bought a new key to cover me for 2 years, but I just think it's a waste to buy one every 2 years (economically and environmentally).
If it breaks outside the 2 year warranty period can we pay for a new key and the P&P? Or are there license costs we have to pay in addition to this?
Thanks
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Hello PauloRego,
This is the procedure for a broken key that is NOT covered by the 2 year hardware guarantee:
In case a ViennaKey is damaged, users have to send it to our office in Vienna (American users: to the office of our distributor ILIO based in California) to enable us to take a look at the kind of the damage.
If the damage on the ViennaKey shows signs of external force, he will of course have to pay for the new ViennaKey, PLUS a handling fee for the new licenses (EUR 20 per contained license, minimum fee EUR 30).
Just an idea: You can always keep old keys as a backup, or pass them on to friends or schools (to check out Steinberg/VSL Software with demo licenses).
Best,
Paul
Paul Kopf Product Manager VSL -
I live in England. If I buy the Vienna Key direct from VSL, it costs 41 Euros including VAT and shipping. If I buy one from Time and Space in the UK it costs 20 GBP. Will the key bought from Time and Space have the same TWO YEAR guarantee and terms as one purchased direct from VSL? (An official answer from VSL please).
Currently, I have seven dongles registered with over 50 licences and those dongles are at least 7 or 8 years old. I am worried at the HUGE expense I might incurr should one or more of them fail. I will have to transfer all those licences from the seven keys to one new one as I am unwilling to pay 7 times 41 Euros (i.e. 287 Euros!) every two years...
