Last night I had a nightmarish experience with my license key. 
I was working on a piece of music, went for dinner and when I returned I got an error message from Logic that it could not read my VSL licenses.
I downloaded and installed the latest Elicenser software, hoping that this would solve the problem. Unfortunately the eLicenser Control Center recognised the key, but told me it was broken, and maintenance did not solve the problem.
I restarted my Mac, but this did not help.
I tried all my different USB ports and hubs, but still the eLisenser said it was broken.

I then installed the eLisenser software on my wife's iMac and there the key appeared just fine, with all my licenses.

When I returned to my Mac, it still did not work. However after restarting the software and trying another USB port it worked again.

Is there any way to simply prevent this kind of nightmare without spending any cash on software you already payed for?
Above I read horrible stories about having to buy all your licenses again.
If this is truly the case I will not be buying any more licenses from VSL, although I am a long term customer and I like the software. 

I do understand that piracy is a big problem for software companies.
Big companies like Native Instruments have a good online solution without dongle problems, and they also start having decent alternatives for orchestral sound libraries. For people like me, who are not professional composers, this seems a better solution than having to rebuy licenses when a small piece of hardware gets suddenly broken...

Anyway, I hope VSL will come up with a decent customer friendly solution for this, because what I read above is unacceptable for me.

Hi Jef, 

Glad to hear that your key worked right away after a restart. It is often a problem with a USB port that is causing such scary moments. 

The gist of the many postings before, regarding broken keys:

1) If you purchase a new key every 2 years, your hardware warranty will cover the damage. Contact us, send in the key for us to check (insured and trackable), with a proof of purchase within the last 2 years, and you will receive a new key with new licenses without any costs (if it was a hwardare failure).

2) If your key broke from any damage outside (dogs, hammer, whatever...), you will also contact us and send in the key. Replacement licenses will be 20 EUR for each license contained on the broken key(minimum: 30 EUR). 

To bridge the time, we will always supply you with a 48 hourse demo license as soon as you have registered a new key, or your key has been sent). 

Best, 
Paul

Hi Paul,

so if I get it right, I would buy a new key from Bestservice.de, transfer my licenses to the new key and then I am covered from the date of purchase of the new key for 2 years under the conditions you mentioned ?

Jef

Hi Jef,

Yes, you have a hardware warranty of 2 years on every ViennaKey / eLicenser USB key.
Please register your keys here.

Best,
Paul

Maybe it's about time VSL and Steinberg discontinue eLicenser and switch to iLok instead.

The scary issue of lost or stolen dongles is solved if you purchase zero downtime for iLoks and activate Theft and Loss coverage aka TLC. The licenses are replaced with 90 day temporary licenses which get refreshed whenever the iLok "sees" the server. This covers all licenses from all manufacturers on that dongle. The yearly fee of some 30 EUR/USD per covered dongle is not much higher than the price of a new eLicenser I buy every year just to renew the hardware guarantee and get some small protection against a defect but not loss or theft.

With iLok I would need only a single dongle per computer, plus license protection was provided by third parties.

I understand the need of protection against piracy, and a dongle provides also some flexibility to use your licenses on a guest computer. However, I believe VSL and Steinberg should put their focus on keeping their products up-to-date and provide us customers with the new stuff we are willing to pay the price for.

Badibeat

Paul Kopf:

My eLicencer key is just fine. I've had it for many years. Only by reading this thread have I become aware of the 'need' to buy a new key every two years. I suppose that will be cheaper than purchasing insurance (finding insurers is VERY diffricult and my insurance broker has given up trying to find a company that will insure the licences). The dongle hardware is worth peanuts of course, by comparison.

So reading this thread has me pondering this whole issue once again.

I read your comment in the thread where you say, "We all hope that we can come up with a better solution with eLicenser/Steinberg, and we rely 100% on their help here." Any updates on this?

What problems do you face with a policy which separates the lost/stolen key issue from the damaged key issue? If I send a damaged key to you and you know that I own that key, why couldn't you simply replace the key for the cost of shipping? I'm not sure why there would be any additional charges. It all seems so unneccesarily arcane and even fussy.

I own a great deal of software of all kinds and many sample libraries. The only company policy that causes considerable worry and stress re significant cost and inconvenience in regarding a key being damaged or lost is VSL. All others seem to be successful in safeguarding their products with lo/no-stress policies for their customers. Am I wrong?

My iLok dongle (for Sibelius and Altiverb) does not work in the same way. At least, no one is suggesting insuring my iLok. I admit, I don't know what their replacement policy is, but no one seems to be worried about it in the same way.

I am a huge VSL fan. I've spent many hours learning to use your software programs and libraries and made considerable investment in VSL products. You have record of my purchases so you know I am a fully vetted customer. I understand that owning a second (backup) key would be very problematic (for VSL). Too many untrustworthy folks would be selling, sharing. It is unfortunate that these practices are so common, but it is useless to bemoan what can't be changed.

Hoping you and the good people at VSL will find a customer friendly solution that respects its clients' investments and, even loyalties.

Paul R

Hi Paul, 

Thanks for your post. We do understand your situation, and we are working on a better solution. 
As soon as such a solution is available, we will inform you.  

Many questions we have discussed in many many threads before, I will try to answer them as clear and short as possible: 

1) If I send a damaged key to you and you know that I own that key, why couldn't you simply replace the key for the cost of shipping?

=> The hardware warranty for the eLicenser key is 2 years.
=> If the key broke without any signs of applied force, the licenses and the key will be replaced for free.

=> If a key that is older than 2 years broke, this hardware warranty does not apply.
=> E..g., your key that contains all your licenses is now 11 years old. Hardware does wear down, when you are taking the key many places more than when it is connected to your computer all the time. 

2) The only company policy that causes considerable worry and stress re significant cost and inconvenience in regarding a key being damaged or lost is VSL. All others seem to be successful in safeguarding their products with lo/no-stress policies for their customers. Am I wrong?

=> I do not know if you are wrong, as I also didn’t read through the license agreements of all sample developers. 
=> Unfortunately eLicenser does not offer a cloud-based solution, but we hope that we can offer a different "safety-net” in the future.

3) My iLok dongle (for Sibelius and Altiverb) does not work in the same way. At least, no one is suggesting insuring my iLok. I admit, I don't know what their replacement policy is, but no one seems to be worried about it in the same way.

=> My advice: Check out the details for iLok and their license protection once again.

 We are aware that this is not an ideal situation, and it takes longer than we hoped to present an alternative to the existing license-model. 

But we are on it, and we are listening. 

Best, 

Paul

I tried many different insurance companies in France, and no one wants to insurance "software" as it is non-physical. And the dongle doesn't count. So traveling is one thing. But getting robbed at home, or even a fire screws everything up.

Can't you make a key that somehow connects to the internet every now and then? Per example:

My key is stolen, and needs to be connected on the internet every two weeks. If not, its blocked.

OR

You can block the key by its ID. I got it stolen, i let you know, and you deactivate the key. And the elicencer software blocks the key. This would be the best solution to avoid pirating a key.

I've had to travel recently with my key, and not reassuring at all. These keys can end up with 15k+ € of software. I cannot believe you cannot find a valid solution to PROTECT your clients.

Hallo bin ganz neu im Forum

und wollte gern wissen ob ich die gleiche dongle

die ich mit Cubase benutze auch VSL benutzen Kann.

Oder muss ein separat dongel Kaufen?

MfG 

Mamo7

@michi said:

We'd prefer to live in a world without product piracy. But as long this isn't the case, we all have to deal with copy protection. We're providing our customers with a safe system, it hasn't been cracked up to now and works offline as well. So, if a key get's lost, everybody who finds this key has unrestricted acces to the licenses. Free replacement licenses would harm our company, we simply can't afford such a solution. We believe, taking care of the key is nothing but self-responsibility. You won't expect any kind of warning if you put 1.000 bucks into your wallet. It's common sense that you won't get the money back if you loose it. To meet uninsured customers half way in lost key matters, we're offering 50% discount for the replacement licenses and a free 48 hours all application license as first, quick help. Regards, Michael Hula VSL Support

Michael,

What happens if my eLicenser fails while it is sitting safely in my studio?

**Leigh

Hi Leigh, 

Please read the previous page of this thread, it is all there. 

Best, 
Paul

@mamo7 said:

Hallo bin ganz neu im Forum

und wollte gern wissen ob ich die gleiche dongle

die ich mit Cubase benutze auch VSL benutzen Kann.

Oder muss ein separat dongel Kaufen?

 

MfG 

Mamo7

Any news on this from VSL? It's been a few months since Paul wrote that they were working on a better solution.

Hi,

Nothing to share with you yet, still working on it!

Best, 
Paul

I agree that this situation about the Vienna Key being such a valuable piece of kit is a problem. If VSL were to offer some kind of insurance or replacement ploicy, then I would buy it. It's a constant worry, thinking that I might lose my key. 

As it happens, today I find that I may have lost my Vienna key. I have prdered 2 replacements, but I hope that I have left it at home somewhere.  I have added up the cost of all the software and instruments I have, and it's more than 3000 euros!! 

I sincerely hope that a solution can be found if I have indeed lost my key. I cannot afford to replace the instruments if not.

I have also lost my key, during a move.  Totalling up what my 50% replacement cost would be now.  Very disappointing.

@Paul said:

Hi,

Nothing to share with you yet, still working on it!

Best, 
Paul

Dear Paul,

could you please give us another update? Another six months passed without any news in this regard. Thank you in advance.

Hello Dominique, 

I'm sorry to keep you waiting, but it only makes sense to announce our solution when everything is ready. 

Thanks for your patience!

Paul

[updated post]