Of course that does happen. There's loads of software which doesn't run anymore, even on older OS's, due to online copy protections, or simply because of missing or changed libraries the software depends on. Gesendet von meinem Pixel 3a mit Tapatalk
Libraries, nope, you can keep an old system exactly the way it is (you can image it when it all works). Copy protections, name an example, from a reputable developer like NI (ie. not some small bedroom dev). The counter-example given earlier was Steinberg with Model E, I don't have direct knowledge of that. But for example, Adobe isn't exactly user-friendly, but when they stopped their old licensing service that was used with CS2, they released a version that did not require activation for their existing users: Adobe releases Creative Suite 2 for free - CNET You don't just kill software, and no reputable company kills VST plugins which would make rendering old projects impossible.
Do you understand the fact that you say. GO PIRACY WAY!!!!! (If you need to use legacy plugins that you have legally purchased.) What else may do one who simply needs that plugin. (And I have to add that go piracy way is in this case with accordance with the law.) I've spent close to 10 000 EUR on NI SW and HW. And I must say such an approach of NI frightens me, quite a lot. One day my plugins will be 'obsolete' and you will tell me bad luck, no re-activation? I am a computer programmer, so do not tell me, it is not technically possible to re-activate Pro-53 anymore. Somehow.
There is also a legal issue here. NI sells perpetual licenses. If you kill the activation servers, and provide no other way to activate the software, you have broken that contract.
That's right.... And, I do not understand NI went to such a creditibility risk. "Killing" a plugin whatever old just must not happen. No question.
This changes were announced a year ago and the activation protocol discontinued in May 2020 already. It's been widely discussed and some other software were actually merged to a new activation system. Unfortunately, it seems it wasn't completely possible for Pro-53.
I've been with you since Komplete 4, I get regular marketing mailshots - I did not get any notification of this. I only found out as a few days ago, I had to reactivate due to transitioning to a new desktop PC. And that's what you're counting on, right, that people only find out sporadically when they need to re-activate for some reason. And Matt, you cannot sell perpetual licenses and then kill them. I don't care what your reasoning is, you're breaking the contract. And worse, you're breaking the trust of your community of loyal users (so legality shouldn't even come into it). We expect better. NI can solve this. NI just doesn't want to bear the costs, and thinks it's OK to screw users instead. I would ask that you take these points to management, because I cannot believe they don't have a better solution to these legitimate concerns than just side-stepping them on this forum.
I hear you but this has already been discussed when we originally announced the changes with a good portion of users affected. The announcement was made and a newsletter was sent to everyone in March 2020 (with changes effective on May 30th 2020).The news was shared massively across digital editorials, on our forum, on every board you can think of (VI, KVR, GS ...). Internal discussions were initiated following some of the conversation we had online. Just like you suggest here, we came back with a slightly different approach and put more work to find a way to address some of these concerns. Here is an example of what you were able to read then: https://www.musicradar.com/news/nat...n-its-decision-to-discontinue-legacy-products Some products were brought back and some are unfortunately not going to be working. With that said, Our support team is always happy to accommodate the best way possible.
Look, I don't hang out on these forums (or any anymore), and only occasionally check in when an issue arises. And if you emailed about it, maybe it slipped through the cracks. But Matt, you're totally missing the point - it doesn't matter what you decide, or announce, if it's not legal! If I announce today I'm going to break into your car tomorrow, does that protect me from being arrested? You get the point. Your Licensing Terms state that you will not limit the time a license can be used (here from the 2019 version, I don't have my old Komplete 4 version to hand right now): End User License Agreement | Legal Information (native-instruments.com) "3.2 Native Instruments grants Licensee the non-exclusive right without restrictions in time or place to use the Products." This is what a perpetual license is. ie. you _cannot_ legally limit the time the software can be used, or you're breaching the agreement and are legally liable. By removing all methods of activation, and not releasing software that doesn't require it, you have limited the time the software can be used = illegal. It's that simple. You can't argue your way out of it. Whoever made that decision at the company, made a crucial mistake. We could take you to court over it. And we'd win because you breached the contract. I resent having to even make that threat, because I know that there are smart people at NI who understand what I'm saying. You always seemed like a musician and producer focused company - you're telling me you can't understand that you've broken old projects and current use from a common-sense POV? And that you've crossed the line here, to save a few pennies? How difficult is it to recompile Pro53 without the licensing code, and release it as unsupported abandonware?? And as for being accommodated by support, I got the link to the FAQ and nothing else. Pretty much a 'F you'. Either way, I don't want compensation (unless you will offer NFR U-He Repro 5 license) as I _need_ the Prophet 5 sound for my first, and in many ways, most important single, both for remixing, and for live performance. I don't need a consolation 'X synth', I need a Prophet 5 sound. NI can of course arrange that (you have a deal with U-he right now). Or just release Pro53 as abandonware. There is nothing stopping you other than you don't want to bear the cost. I'm not going to bear it when you have breached your contract with us.
.. or here's an idea, release the Pro53 source code to me (lifelong Windows C++ programmer) and I'll prepare and release a 64bit version that doesn't regularly crash Reaper's 32bit bridge for anyone that still cares (or at least fix the crash issue : ).
I know. But who cares? Someone has bought a licence and has right to use it and wants to use it. Fullstop. OK he could install it on three new computers, year ago. And keep fingers crossed they will work as long as possible. But one day, be it 10 years, 15 years, they will be down. And what then? Simply you have to maintain licence server or remove the need for licence code in plugin or provide some sort of offline licence management. There is no other acceptable way. Telling in advance we'll stop it - is no go.
Man I would be happy if I received a Super 8 license. Quality synth for a 20 year old totally obsolete 32-bit software. Someone complaining about that will complain about being fed with a silver spoon. Entitlement in full effect. Gesendet von meinem Pixel 3a mit Tapatalk
My pc run with win7pro (32 and 64 bit) So I can use my Pro-53 very well. It's your computer OS not NI's instrument that strikes.
Even if you had many years old projects with that obsolete plugin? Heaps of unique presets you made for..... Super 8 is fine and be it better or much better or even super better to Pro-53. How does it help, if one needs Pro-53?
I can't really comment about the legal details but I can tell you these changes have been done with every aspect in mind. It's definitely not as black and white as "software can be used until the end of time". What I can offer you two at this point is forward your comments to the relevant teams and if we have more information available regarding Pro-53, I'll make sure to share it on here. Thank you
Thanks Matt. I do not have problém with Pro-53 as I do not have a licence and never used that plugin. I fight against future possible problems. I've spent thousands EUR on NI SW and many more thousands on HW. I do not want be one day in the same situation like users of Pro-53. Use of SW has long timespan. 30-40 years now, but it will be more and more. SW company like NI should bear it in mind. I do not know what technical problém is behind not ability of NI to provide activation of that plugin any more. Maybe some bad mistake has happened years ago.... But it should never ever happen again with any other plugin!!! NI developers could in advance compile SW version that does not need activation, or may be activated by some kind of universal activation code usable on any computer. In case NI could not provide online/offline plugin authentization NI could hand out either universal activation code or installation of plugin not needing activation. Those versions could also be stored at "outer body" (lawyer or similar) for case NI will terminate its existence because of some reason. I am a SW developer and many of my customers require, that my source code is stored at entity that allows them the acces to that source code under the condition that I am not able to continue with SW development (car accident, illness, or just do not want or cannot anymore). Simply, if one invest money to certain SW, he wants use it as long as he wants to use it. Not as long as the developer allows them to use it. ;-) Maybe that it would be good if NI would explain why it is not possible to activate certain legacy SW and inform users what measures NI made to avoid situation that such a pitiful and ashaiming event would not happen again in future.
Then you don't understand what a 'perpetual' license is - you need to talk to your legal department and let them explain it to you. In the meantime: PERPETUAL | meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary perpetual adjective continuing for ever in the same way: 'if we have more information'? not good enough. if you can't commit to making an official statement within a few day's time, I will escalate it to management myself. Again - you cannot kill perpetual licences. Morally, or legally.
Why do you think Adobe released a license free version of CS2 back when they changed their own licensing scheme? Not out of the kindness of their heart (I beta tested for Adobe for a few years, trust me I know). It's because they were open to legal action for exactly the same reason. (they probably thought they could force everyone to upgrade to the newest version this way, but it didn't fly. by all means do your own research.) eg.: Adobe offering Creative Suite 2 for free, but they didn't mean to (techspot.com) "Turns out Adobe did retire the activation servers used by CS2 back in December, but when legitimate owners of the suite started complaining that without these servers they'd be unable to reinstall their copies if needed, the company began offering versions of CS2 that didn't need activation."