Copy Protection?!?!?! Ha!

I'm sorry to say this, but this new copy protection in 1.5 is #^%@^%(@. I was working on a track yesterday, when all of a sudden Kontakt crashed on me. VST/32 refuses to open again and claims that Kontakt has caused so and so error. I think "No big deal, I'll just uninstall and reinstall" I do just that. I intall from CD, then the 1.5 update and attempt to RE Authorize using the authorization key I was issued when I bought the update. but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Kontakt has decided that SOMETHING (I have no bloody idea WHAT. To my knowledge, NOTHING has changed in the span of one hour) has been changed in my system and I have to 'request' for another authorization key. Now, I know that I have been issued with 2. My other registration is used by my G4 Tibook. There, I've used both my 'allowed' keys up, and now I have 'request' for another although, like I mentioned, NOTHING was changed in my system. This S U C K S. Honestly I hate saying this. I love using Kontakt and it's been my main composition tool for a long time, but I seriously implore NI to re think using this ridiculous copy protection scheme. Give me a dongle anytime!

 

I'm glad to lose the dongle with Reaktor, but the authorization system definitely needs to be fine tuned. Why should reinstalling the OS require a new number?

At least they stopped mailing out the codes with the sender field left blank.

 

That's the thing!!! I DIDN'T reinstall the OS! The program crashed, I reinstalled KONTAKT, and the registration tool claims something was changed!

 

did you try removing all Kontakt registry entries as well?
That might work.

 

Hi danorips, Thanks for your suggestion. Now that my anger has died down, I would like to point out that all this is not anger directed at NI. I feel they make excellent products and I simply enjoy using Kontakt in all it's functionality. I do NOT, however, see the point in inconveniencing us users as such. I really hate this new copy protection scheme and as I've highlighted in my situation, this grief simply is not worth it. We could be making music as it is, but with software/hardware conflicts to resolve, we've already hit an obstacle. No point having NI throw in a few more. I'm sorry to say this, but I implore NI to rethink this scheme or at least make it easier for us users or at the very least, fine tune the system, because I for one, know that NOTHING was changed in my system and the registration tool claims that there IS. *sigh*

 

Insert CD?

I have similar problems with Kontakt.
Peridically, it tells me that I need to reinstall the software because of an error.
The error seems to be that instead of checking for the serial number, it decides to check for the original installation disk. But Kontakt reports a spurious error, instead of requesting the installation CD.
Try placing the original istallation disk in the CD tray, while reinstalling Kontakt.

I thought the idea of this type of installation and copy protection,is that the original CD authorisation has been replaced.
Apparently not, as this is the only way I can achieve a working reinstallation.

Worth a try....

And the authorisation definitely needs further attention, NI!!


Dave.

 

Hello,

I just wanted to drop a line in there and let you all know we are taking the user response to the new authorization into very careful consideration, and are working/brainstorming ways to make it all more convenient/manageable for you.

The last thing we would ever want is to inconvenience our user base, we want to get you guys making music not keep you from it! Please understand we place a high priority on making the copy protection as smooth as possible and will improve it everywhere we can.

Thanks,

Matt

 

If you want to improve the copy protection for us paying customers then go back to the old system.

I for one have not upgraded to 1.5 because of this C/R tied to my machine config system, and on top of this you want me to pay you for the privilege. Sorry, but no thanks. I have paid you for the right to use this software not to dance around getting new codes every time I want to upgrade my system.

I am (was) the proud owner (paid for and registered) of FM7, Pro53 and Kontakt. I bought them not only because they are fine instruments but also because they had simple and easy copy protection.

However, since you insist in treating me like a potential thief I will now take my business elsewhere.

Another very unhappy customer.

PS: If these CP systems actually prevented piracy and you brought your prices down then I might be prepared to put up with it but the cracks are still there. XP, SX, Nuendo, Photoshop, 3Dstudio, etc. etc. all seem to be available. I pay for my software to support the developers in making more software not because copy protection schemes force me to. But, the moment you stop supporting me I stop buying your software.

 

Most software has adopted C/R. Why not just grow up and get used to it.

 

It is true that some software companies have switched, but several still haven't. Getting used to it doesn't mean liking it dude, and if the users just keep quiet and let them do what the companies want, soon EVERYTHING plugin/app in your computer will be challenge/response. Let's see what you'd do if you need a reformat. By the way, have you ever had Kontakt just crash on you, need reauthorization for NO APPARENT REASON, and then deny you of using your software that you've paid for? When you have, and you calmly just email them (still no response by the way) and everything in your world is bright and sunny, THEN you tell people to grow up.

 

Akirasan, thanks for the vote of confidence.

Bill,

I make my views known. The great benefit of the web is that companies like NI can hear directly from their customers. How are they going to know that I don't like their current policy? By lack of sales? They are currently blaming that on piracy (true or not), so how am I to be heard?

Answer, I post on the forums. I have posted my dissatisfaction here with NI's current policy. Now they know how I feel they can choose what they want to do about it, if anything. They have stated in this thread that they are giving it serious consideration. Do you think they would be doing that if people had not complained?

Things CAN change. The version of VSampler that came with Sonar3 required a challenge response code to work. This was not acceptable to Cakewalk users and they said so, on the forums. The C/R has since been removed. Of course Sonar itself just requires a serial number and the users make a big thing out being trusted by Cakewalk ļ

By the way I also post on support forums if I like something. I recently posted a thank you to one of NI's rivals for NOT using intrusive copy protection. At the moment they are getting my money and NI are not. I would think that NI would want to know about that.

As a company NI really have to assess how many extra sales they believe they will get from adding this copy protection versus how many customers they may lose because of it. If they get it wrong they may find that they are losing actual sales rather than potential ones.

I would like to think that NI would change their policy if the promised sales increases did not materialise. Anyway, at the moment the system does not seem to be working that well and some rival companies crossgrades are looking very tempting to me.

So, I believe there will always be alternatives and I will I will use them. And when I come to re-install my system (as I have done twice in the last week) I won't have to do another round of authorisations.

Regards,
A still unhappy NI customer.

 

Two big thumbs up!

Thank you very much cubican12000. What you've said makes perfect sense. I can only hope that NI actually IS considering this C/R thing. Deep inside me though, I have doubts that they'd consider another form of protection (use protection, it's the safest way Heh... ) This scheme has only JUST been implemented really recently, although judging by requests and complains etc, it doesn't seem to be working too well. NI, hope you're listening. Keep up the great work with the products!

 

Im feelin the pain!!!

Copy Protection definately needs to be addressed and the present system scrapped. Dont you sometimes feel like you're spending you whole life re-installing this and that, reformatting drives etc...... Its far too easy in this day and age to get side-tracked by marketing and companies and this and that development, to forget about the music. Thats why were hear, and on a spiritual tip, may we all pass on peacefully to our Atari's in the sky one day and may audio and 'modern' computers never be known.

 

Hi!
Total agreement on copy protection.
I realize that most companies will have some form of it.

Personally, I prefer my iLok.
Yes, I know the downsides of it.
The only real problem with iLok for me would be if it fails or gets broken, and I am in the middle of working, or would need to use it within the 1-3 days it would take to sort it out (ok- maybe longer...).
An addition to this that would work well (IMO) would be to have a couple different types of CP available to the customer to choose from. Additionally, if one chooses iLok, and it fails, breaks, etc- well, a temporary "code" should accompany any purchase. Temporary? Yep- the code would allow normal use for a limited period, say 7 days. That way the software could still be used at least. Once the iLok is replaced, and everything settled (proving it was lost, broken, stolen, whatever), customer is issued a new "emergency code" for future use.

I like the iLok most because I use multiple systems. If I want to go to a friend's studio and use something I own (or have a license to use), I just bring my iLok. Simple. Only problem have is if I forget to grab the damn thing- hehehe! If I buy a hardware synth, I can bring it anywhere and use it anywhere. If I buy a video game, I can play it on anyones console, computer, etc. If I buy a music cd, or a DVD- same thing. I dont "own" the movie, just as I don't "own" the NI Software.

Sorry, don't care for licensing that limits like this. But it is great that there is somewhere to express opinion, and actually have it get some attention (I hope).

 

iLok or Similar

Hi

I think copy protection is important.

If I've paid good money for a product, I don't want another person to be able to use it for free. This stops any further software improvements etc....

I also like the idea of being able to take a USB dongle, such as SX2, from one PC to another computer, depending on where I am working.

So a system such as this would very much suit me too, this would be my preference.

Dave.

 

I just thought I would add my stance on copy protection.

I do not like C/R systems, I find them intrusive, I should not have to worry about whether I will be allowed to reinstall my software, in the event of a system crash, upgrade or even a house keeping format/reinstall which I like to do every 6 months or so. C/R takes away from me, the freedom to do what I like with my system.

On the positive side I own both Reaktor and Kontakt, I have yet to use the Kontakt C/R but the Reaktor system has been fairly painless for me, I have had to ask for one reauthorization after a hard drive upgrade, but that was handled reasonably quickly. (1-2 days)

Despite this good experience, I am still totally against C/R protection. Actually it's only the type of C/R that keys to the machine that I don't like, if it could generate a code that would work on my machine whatever I decide to do with it I would be satisfied. Maybe a code that contains my personal details, name address, credit card number, that sort of thing?

My current position is that I won't purchase anymore products that use machine locked C/R protection, this means that NI has recently lost out on me purchasing Vokator and Absynth 2. I will continue to purchase upgrades for my existing NI products, I'm not into "cutting my nose of to spite my face". But I'm afraid NI will not be getting any new money from myself.

I do not think that NI are out to screw me or others, and I think they have the right to protect their software from thieves, however there must be a better way that does not trample on the consumers rights as well!

Thanks for this opportunity to get my position across.

Simon Pick

 

Still not too good....

Just to inform you guys, that despite all this hoo ha about this C/R and me having emailed them about the problem, NI has NOT gotten back to me with my new code. I encountered this problem around 4 days ago. Thank goodness I'm not running a pro facility or I'm outta business.

 

On that copy protection isue,

Why not develop a nice dsp based rack unit,to run any native instruments products on.
That way u avoid cracks,en the user has some more free cpu and wont have to update their cpu's that much.
Company happy user happy...

 

methods of copy protection

I would like to come in on the other side of this debate.

I have no problem with the C/R copy protection - its just an email away. Personally, I despise the hardware based methods such as dongles. They break, get lost, and are a pain to carry around.

Of course, NI should pay attention and find ways to make everyones experiences go smoothly, but I would hate to see the return of hardware copy protection. One of the major reasons I chose Kontakt over Mach 5 was the copy protection scheme...

--Bill

 

Why can we not have a copy protection that is concentrated on the computer - no matter which partition or OS?
I use different Sequencers on different partitions with different OS versions - the new copy protection just makes me want to sell my copy of Kontakt.
And I think it is obvious that I do not use two or more partitions on my computer at the same time.
I like to have test partitions and working partitions - but I cannot install 1.51 because I need to authorize.
There are so many thinks to hang up a copy protection besides the hd and the OS version (do not want to flame but this is ....)

Ableton has a great copy protection (well for the users a least), or Celemony.

I personally would prefere a dongle over such a .... copy protection as Kontakt has it right now.
At the moment Kontakt stays as a item which might be sold soon because of the copy protection. Which is quite a shame because there are some nice libraries out there for Kontakt. But a library without a halfway usable samplers ampler without a library (HALion).

Best,
Steff