Originally Posted by: jasensmith

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

Originally Posted by: agitato

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?

You're absolutely right Anand it would be more fair, to you and me, but not to VSL. You see, VSL has to pay Elicenser for those licenses (keys to the car so to speak).  When you loose your key, new licenses will have to be reissued and VSL has to pay for those so they're merely passing those costs on to the user who lost his key.

I think it was you who said this was an arcane system and you're right about that.  Also, this having to buy a new key every two years is getting old especially when you can't do a mass transfer of licenses from the old key to the new.  You have to transfer them one at a time and that is very irritating.  Hopefully, there is another system in the works that will be satisfactory to all.

Hi everybody,

We're so happy to announce our solution to lost/stolen/broken ViennaKeys!

•     Protect your valuable VSL licenses for 2 years
•     No downtime when reporting a ViennaKey as lost, stolen, or broken
•     Simple and straightforward

For a fee of €70 per ViennaKey, the Vienna Protection Plan will cover your valuable VSL licenses for two years, no matter how many licenses are stored on each ViennaKey! No downtime for you, no more worries!

For more details, take a look at the link above, or at that FAQ's.

Best,
Stefan

Aren't keys already protected againt breakage for 2 years? Or is that just against failure?

Does the Protection Plan cover an eLicenser key older than 2 years?
And can you move the protection between two keys just like any license?

Hi Stefan et al

I am greatly relieved to learn of the 2year protection plan option. I have purchased mine right away.

Paul R

Thanks Paul and Cyril for the kind words, much appreciated!
Personally, I'm really, really happy that we can now offer an option which I believe is a good and decent solution. :)

To answer your question Cyril, we requested this feature with Steinberg too, I don't know the current status on this. The good news is that you can also use your existing ViennaKeys that are older than two years with the Vienna Protection Plan! So there's actually no need to do a mass transfer of licenses to a new ViennaKey.

Best,
Stefan :)

Many thanks for your comment, Kai! Much appreciated.
Enabling our users to get rid of their worries was exactly our goal!

IMO it is not an optimal solution, but at least a decent one. And it is cheaper then any insurance

Your timing is also perfect: I have a recording session on location on saturday. One thing less to worry that day