Hi passenger57,

This is an easy one. The answer is in the Terms of License - just click on the link on the bottom of any page of the VSL website. There it says:

@Another User said:

5. Defect of the ViennaKey

Having your key registered in your user area is prerequisite, of course. -> http://www.vsl.co.at/en/68/141/788/1588/245.htm

BTW - most of the time there are mechanical or electrical problems with the USB slot itself, not with the dongles. I use Synchrosoft/eLicenser keys since more then a decade now; I take them to every studio I work in (quite a few 😉 ...), and all four of them are still working flawlessly.

Kind regards,

@passenger57 said:

Ok I'll make sure the key is properly registered - I'm fine with paying any inspection fees, or whatever. I'm just nervous about the time it would take to do a key inspection when I'm in the middle of a deadline. I would much rather have a backup key with my license on it - I'm fine with paying for that as long as I don't have to pay the full amount for the software again, but it would give me peace of mind. I know there are additional lisences for Vienna Enemble Pro - but are there for Vienna Suite? As a working professional who depends on this software every day, I'm sure you can understand my frustration and worry here. Ilock has backup for their keys, but I don't know if elisencor does. My deadlines make me nervous enough, I don't want to shorten my life over this worry.

You can't have a back-up key with licences on it. However, there is nothing to stop you having a spare key to transfer the licences to, if you think that your current key is about to fail.

DG

Every two years I buy a new key and transfer all my license to it.  This gives me a brand new warranty every two years.  Is a small price to pay for that (50 dollars).

As far as a power surge or something to create down time which is legitamite, I think what you said is a good idea.  Having a way that VSL can give us temporary backfills until the case is investigated is a wonderful idea to prevent down time.

Does this sound like something VSL is interested in being able to offer us in the future?  I also ask because the most recent dongle I purchased is already cracked and I take incredible care of it.  It has cracked simply from gently removing it and putting it back in every day as I travel from location to location.  A much stronger body (some kind of steel) would be appreciated so it wasn't so subject to breaking physically.

Maestro2be

@cgernaey said:

Having a way that VSL can give us temporary backfills until the case is investigated is a wonderful idea to prevent down time.

That's the usual way we handle this kind of issues. If a user reports a broken key we send a temporary license which enables to continue to work. Generally it's good idea to have an empty key available for such a scenario.

best

Herb

@passenger57 said:

I would never travel with an elisencor - Would be way too nervous about that. I just use Native Instruments / Kontakt libraries for out of town work since they just activate online without dongles. I wish everyone did it that way. [...]

It's funny you say that, because I handle it exactly the opposite way since decades now. I always tried to aviod software that had to be "activated" for a reason: For example, I never really used my pretty elaborated NI Reaktor-ensembles back then when I was working on another system than my own (which I do about 80% of my time, being a freelancer). As a matter of fact I almost quit using it at all. Similar situation with the highly underrated "Quantum FX " from db-audioware. OTOH I was very happy when Celemony changed from their original system-hardware based licensing scheme to iLok.

I have a little "dongle-case" since many years which I literally carried around the world, from Japan to California. Right now, it contains three eLicensers (one is left at home all the time), two iLoks, one legacy WiBu key and a new one ("CodeMeter"). All in all I would estimate that they cover software amounting to roughly 30,000 Euro. The only time I had troubles was when I literally broke an iLok, but this wasn't a result of carrying it with me.

... horses for courses ... 😉

Hello Dietz and Herb

What do you think of my idea to secure VSL lib with a finger print reader ? you could include in the lib file the finger print !

You always have your finger print with you and you dont need an Ethernet link to use your lib !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL and you could not to be sue !!!!!!! [;)]

If you brake the finger print reader or you get it stolen, you just need to buy one, and as it is material, all insurances will cover it

Best

Cyril

You have seen that movie where they chopped off the finger of the other guy, to get access to a room secured by a fingerprint-reader ...? [6]

Hello Dietz

Yes I did see that film, I doubt that the french mafia will have use of VSL [Y]

Do you like my idea ?

Honestly? No.

@Dietz said:

Honestly? No.

what is your solution ?