[eLicenser] Most Current Strategy for Zero-downtime and loss prevention?

[ghoststrat]

I got an email from iLok reminding me to renew my zero-downtime subscription and it made me think about my VSL/eLicenser products.  I'm keeping an eye out for the two year mark to buy new ones, but I'm wondering if there's something else that can be done to mitigate a potential loss through breakage (normal attrophy), fire/natural disasters, theft, etc.  The main thing I'm concerned about is that it may just stop working one day, as computer things tend to do.  I waited over a decade before I could afford this stuff, and doubt I'd be able to repurchase.  This is a very important aspect of my life.

Thanks for any info you all can provide.

[murphy761]

I'd buy an extra iLok and eLicenser, register them to your accounts, and then stash them away in an airtight and ESD-safe container. Empty amber-colored prescription bottles do well. If you have some thin ESD-resistant pink foam, wrap them in that before putting them into the container. -And you're good!

[Paul]

Hi ghoststrat, 

We always suggest to include your musical equipment in your insurance. Make sure that your insurance company also covers the licenses contained on your keys. Unfortunately these offers are different for every country, so the best idea is to talk to an insurance agent about this. 

Best, 
Paul

[Cyril Blanc]

@Paul said:

Hi ghoststrat, 

We always suggest to include your musical equipment in your insurance. Make sure that your insurance company also covers the licenses contained on your keys. Unfortunately these offers are different for every country, so the best idea is to talk to an insurance agent about this. 

Best, 
Paul

Hello Paul

I have not find an insurance company "that also cover the licences contained on your keys" in France. They cover the dongle but not it's contents.

Does anybody has some names ?

[jasensmith]

Everytime this topic rears it's ugly head on the forum it just starts a big pissing match so I'm going to just address the OP's original question.

 

@ghoststrat said:

I'm wondering if there's something else that can be done to mitigate a potential loss through breakage (normal attrophy), fire/natural disasters, theft, etc.  The main thing I'm concerned about is that it may just stop working one day, as computer things tend to do.  

If the key is within the two year warranty and there isn't any obvious operator negligence issues (you weren't using it to open beer bottles or something) then just send it in and you should be covered.  But it is a good idea to have an extra key handy so that VSL can send you some demo licenses to hold you over until they can verify the licences on your defective key and get you back up and running again.  That is, if VSL would be willing to do that😃

I have it in writing with my homeowner's insurance company that "THE SOFTWARE LICENSES ON THE KEY" (not just the key itself) will be covered in the event of loss due to theft, fire, or natural disaster.  As long as the loss or damage occurs at home I am covered😊  But get it in writing.

If the key was damaged/stolen/losed outside the curtilage of my home, I'm screwed😔

So, if you keep your key at home and it doesn't leave then look to see what your home owner's insurance offers, if anything.  

[Cyril Blanc]

@jasensmith said:

I have it in writing with my homeowner's insurance company that "THE SOFTWARE LICENSES ON THE KEY" (not just the key itself) will be covered in the event of loss due to theft, fire, or natural disaster.  As long as the loss or damage occurs at home I am covered😊  But get it in writing.

If the key was damaged/stolen/losed outside the curtilage of my home, I'm screwed😔

So, if you keep your key at home and it doesn't leave then look to see what your home owner's insurance offers, if anything.  

What is the name of the company ?

[jasensmith]

State Farm.

Talk to your agent.  Basically it boils down to extra coverage beyond the standard amount for my home.

[Cyril Blanc]

@jasensmith said:

State Farm.

Talk to your agent.  Basically it boils down to extra coverage beyond the standard amount for my home.

Thanks, I have send a mail to them.

I have contact many companies in France and in Germany, they do not insure immaterial contents ; such the  contents of HD Disks USB dongle, CD, Floppy ...... because you should have made a backup of these. 

You must be very carefull with insurances company, they are very good to make you pay but when it is up to them to pay you back, it is another story !!!!!!!!!

Do you have a paper from your State Farm saying that the contents of your USB dongle is insure for the value of xxxx $ ?

Best

Cyril

[jasensmith]

@Cyril said:

Do you have a paper from your State Farm saying that the contents of your USB dongle is insure for the value of xxxx $ ?

Yes I do👍

Again, I just optioned for more insurance than one would normally carry on a house of my size, area, etc.  If the loss or damage is caused by a fire, theft or natural disaster in which most, if not all, the equipment in my studio is a loss then they will cover it. 

Here's where it gets sticky.  If just the dongle itself is stolen or damaged some how and nothing else in my studio that would be hard to explain to the insurance company and they probably wouldn't cover it suspecting fraud.  However, the chances that somebody would know just how precious that little dongle is and steal it without taking the $3,500 system that it's attached to or the $2,500 keyboard or anything else in my studio are about the same as getting struck by lightning twice on the same day.

So the only thing I have to fear is somebody stealing just the dongle.

[Cyril Blanc]

@Cyril said:

Do you have a paper from your State Farm saying that the contents of your USB dongle is insure for the value of xxxx $ ?

Here's where it gets sticky.  If just the dongle itself is stolen or damaged some how and nothing else in my studio that would be hard to explain to the insurance company and they probably wouldn't cover it suspecting fraud.  However, the chances that somebody would know just how precious that little dongle is and steal it without taking the $3,500 system that it's attached to or the $2,500 keyboard or anything else in my studio are about the same as getting struck by lightning twice on the same day.

So the only thing I have to fear is somebody stealing just the dongle.

you just need a visitors that know where the value is !

If you have an instrumentist that is comming to record some tracks, he can take the dongle without you notice it

The solution is to put the dongle in a safe box attached to the floor 😉 not a stupid idea !!!!!! 😉 cheaper than an insurance !!!!!! ;)

[jasensmith]

For the rare instances where I might have a vocalist come over or something I rent time at a studio downtown as I do not have the necesary mics and gear for recording "guest musicians" but that's just me😉

[Macgort]

Hello, I work in France with almost all VSL product, I travel a lot with different compagny, and I work in different places (theatres, circus...) I have two vienna keys and two ILok. Sorry to said it, but ILok protection is better than vienna key, it's a fact... ILok had is own assurance, and you don't have to try to find an other insurer. You can aslo chose the optional "refresh system" : after 90 days yours licences don't work ; it's a good protection if your key is stolen. If I write that, it's absolutely not to critic, I'm not an angry person, and I'm very meticulous with my keys, but if one day VSL or Steinberg propose this protection system, I'll realy feel better... 😉