Copy Protection of Traktor

I'm writing an assignment and I'd like to know how Traktor (Pro) is copy protected.

As far as I know, when using the Scratch version, the Audio 4/8 serves as a dongle, but what kind of copy protection is there for the Non-Scratch version? Is there an extra dongle?

 

It's based on activation via the NI Service Centre. What an unusual thing to be doing an assignment on.

 

Thanks for the fast reply!
So you are getting a serial number with the purchase and when starting the software it "phones home"?

The assignment is about how to sell software...

 

Did you know NI has a student discount - If you really have a assignment?

 

you get a product serial.
u start the ni service center.
u enter the product serial into the service center.
the service center calculates the system id to prevent using the software on different machines.
then you give serial and system id to ni by using service center or offline activation on the website.
service center now activates the product or you have to enter the activation code manually when offline activation method is used.
you are allowed to use the software on 2 computers at the same time (for example notebook and desktop computer)
you can delete an activation by activating a new computer but beware, once a computer is deactivated you will never be able to use the software again on it !

 

Not true. Uninstalling from a computer also deactivates it (doesnt de-register the application though)
You can install and activate it again at anytime as long as its within the 2 licence limit.

 

Yes, I do (and I am covering price discrimination in my assignment)


So, once again: Thanks to all for the detailed info.

 

Good luck!

 

Although this doesn't pertain to any Native Instruments marketing/selling strategy, you could also investigate the group buy paradigm for your assignment. That has been a really popular method lately to sell software.

 

Don't forget to spend some time on the upgrade strategy. NI has a particularly controversial one when it comes to buying up from a lower-end product to the Scratch Pro version.

 

I already planned on including that - but consider it from NIs point of view, they are charging somebody, who already got a fully working product, a couple of bucks for some extra functions at no cost and make sure, that the user doesn't switch to their competitor because a full license of the product is way more expensive...

Another thing: is it possible to switch between computer platforms - using the 2 license on a pc & a mac e.g.: desktop-pc & a macbook

or use 2 macs in the beginning, deactivate it and activate the license on PCs

 

Yes its perfectly possible to have Traktor on 1 Mac & 1 PC at the same time or 2 of the same.
But not 2 Mac and 2 PC. Its 2 Max regardless of platform.
The Disc comes with the Mac and PC flavours on it. Also both Mac and PC installers are available in a users Download Manager.

You may want to check the Licencing EULA for Traktor for the finer details because whilst everyone thinks that its legal to have 2 installations the caveat in that is that you can only legally use 1 at a time.