Actually it isn't apt at all. Remember, we're dealing with intellectaul property here not tangible items like a car. When you purchase a library license, you're not purchasing the library itself, your purchasing permission to use it.
The car analogy would be better, although not completey accurate, if it was, you're not buying a car you're buying permission to use it. So you can use that car anytime you want and drive anywhere you want but there are some restrictions like you can't use it for ride sharing such as Uber or Lyft.
Don't get me wrong Anand, I'm not a cheerleader for this dongle system and judging from some of the recent posts by VSL representatives they are not fans of it either but the reason it has gone on for so long must be because the alternatives are just not satisfactory to VSL upper management. Or, there is something in the works it just hasn't been finalized yet. But for the record, I am not in favor of an online verification system. Sorry but in my particular situation it would be just too much of a hassle. If VSL can provide some options for people in my situation then fine but I hope that whatever they have in the works isn't dependant on the Internet.
Ok. Even with the 'permission to use' car analogy, if I paid money for the permission, and I lose they key, wouldnt it be more fair if I just need to buy a replacement key rather than an entire replacement of the permission?
Anyways, I understood later that the need for purchasing licenses at 50% arises only for lost dongles. I initially thougth it applies to damaged dongles that are out of the 2 year waranty as well. What I understand now is that if I have a damaged key that is out of warranty period, I can pay for a new key and reactivate the license at 20 euros/license, which I can live with. Hope I am correct in that.
Anand