Noticed New Licensing Mumbo Jumbo Change on Rev3.1 3

[Rocko]

You guys noticed how SW is now saying you may or may not be able to have more than one copy of SW per license. I guess the days of the old home copy are gone. It looks like they are trying to become more like Pro E everyday. LOL

 

[symjim]

Rfus,

You can have multiple installs in the same machine. Counts as only one activation. Should work even with a dual-boot system. (Pls try it and let us know for sure.)

FYI, both SW2006 & 2007 are activation-aware. You can have both installed on the same machine and it still counts as one activation.

If you also need to run older releases, you'll have to contact your VAR to get special reg codes for SW2005 and earlier.

 

[sldwkmin]

It works fine on a multiple boot system provided the boots are all on one drive.

Cole M
CSWP, CSWST, CSWI, CPDM
SW06
SW07
IBM T42p, 2g proc., 1g RAM,ATI Mobility Fire GL T2
HP XW4100, 3g proc., 3g RAM, Nvidia Quadro 980 XGL
HP XW4300, 3.4g proc, 2.5g RAM, ATI Fire GL 3100

 

[SBaugh]

Rocko,

If you need to replace the computer you have to transfer it. If the HDD crashes and you can't get to the HDD they have a way of de-registering the software there, but its only a last resort. If you go off maintainence then you should still be able to activate your software in the future still, but you will only be allowed for that version.

rfus,

You are allowed only 2 so if you need it on 3 machines you will have to transfer one to the other when that happens. That's your only choice, unless you purchase another seat of SW. But if you are on a dual boot and like it was pointed out by sldwkmin it does work fine. So that's good to know.

It is very important to understand if you move your system to another machine that you must first Transfer the license back to SW.

I have SW07 SP3 installed and registered, but I also have my SW06 and SW05 installed on the same computer. I am using the serial number so there are no problems with my SW here. Just and FYI if you were curious about the older seats of SW.

Best Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[J-C]

I understand Solidworks reason for doing this.....but could you guys imagine if "every" software program out there did this? Siwtching to a new PC would be a nightmare trying to unactivate and reactivate all your software.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
UG NX4.01.0 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2007 SP3.1 on WinXP SP2

 

[Mindnumb]

This seems like an extremely bad idea. Upgrading hardware between versions will not be an option, not in my company atleast. I dont see the logic here. Piracy might be a seroius loss factor for them, I dont know. The question are if they really know this themselves... I have a strong feeling that no serious company would go with illegal software, and the non serious ones would newer fork out the mony in any case, just go to the next free or low cost option.

Maybe they use the same math as the music industry, proclaming that every illegal copy=lost revenue.

Could be interesting to see what kind of arguments lies behind this practise.

I think they will be better off by looking throug the fingers with the illegal copies. And actually , the more the merrier, as this will give them a very large user base ready to get a legal copy as soon as they can afford it.

 

[fcsuper]

Mindnumb,

Only on hearsay, there's tons of (too much) piracy going on overseas in places like Russia and China. These changes are an effort to reduce that piracy. I believe that SolidWorks is trying to do their best to avoid impacting its loyal customer base.

Personally, I somewhat agree with your sentiment, but I do not agree with acceptance of black market piracy. I think Solidworks can make some changes to their methods to reduce piracy and still support its base better than they doing so now.

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA

http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

 

[J-C]

Problem is...this won't stop software piracy in Russia and China.....there are cracked versions of 2007 o'plenty on the net. We'll see how long it takes for a cracked version of 2008 to show up.

At most...this stops the casual coping of software at smaller companies and employees (ex-employees) who take a copy home for personal use. So I can see them maybe gaining some $$$ from the smaller companies going more legit (or they stop using it). People at home that want to use it will either get a cracked copy off the net...or they will no longer use it period.

The last result of all this is they hassle their existing and new customers a litle.....question is....is it enough for them to lose sales, lost new licenses for existing customers, or lost subscription.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
UG NX4.01.0 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2007 SP3.1 on WinXP SP2

 

[Rocko]

Since I started the thread I thought I would imform everyone that the stupid new licensing even popped up for authentication when I started E-Drawings on one of my other computers that has not even had SP3.1 installed. How long till be all get a piece of @$%# dongle to plug in the back of our computer!
Perhaps SW is trying to tell us it has outgrown the small business group and wants to move into the corporate world of Autodesk and Pro-E. You know whats funny is that Pro-E is getting easier on licensing and SW is getting harder, LOL. Wow how is that for irony!

 

[sldwkmin]

Dongle?...well almost every other country had dongles until now. This new process eliminated the need for dongles which in the past SW graciously let the U.S. get by without. (On stand alone seats) I've seen a lot of comments about other software being free or cheaper. Being very close to the industry and seeing many softwares I question which CAD packages are doing something that's any simpler than a 30 second application form to register your software?

Seems all CAM packages and such are still using a dongle.

To take a step back and look at the big picture this benefits the mom and pop shops that have made the choice to be honest and purchase the software and install their legal number of seats. If the've been competing with the dishonest guy down the street that wasn't following the license agreement this appears to have leveled the playing field. So your argument may be very strong depending which side of the fence you're standing on.

Cole M
CSWP, CSWST, CSWI, CPDM
SW06
SW07
IBM T42p, 2g proc., 1g RAM,ATI Mobility Fire GL T2
HP XW4100, 3g proc., 3g RAM, Nvidia Quadro 980 XGL
HP XW4300, 3.4g proc, 2.5g RAM, ATI Fire GL 3100

 

[SBaugh]

I like the way you think sldwkmin!

Best Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[Rocko]

What about someone who bought SW and has a desktop he uses at work, then at home he has a desktop with SW on it. Then for those times he is visiting a client or being a road warrior , his laptop. This is my own personal case so needless to say i am a little frustrated by the change. Also is this new licensing change take place if i install the latest SP for my 2006 version ?

 

[sldwkmin]

Rocko, At the risk of appearing to point a finger, but not my intention. You did receive a license agreement that you agreed to that clearly states that what you are doing is illegal. You can easily solve your situation and be completely legal if you so choose. The cost for you to upgrade to a network seat is minimal. You can then borrow a license for your laptop when needed. You can also easily set up a VPN for your license server in your office and your home situation is solved.

Cole M
CSWP, CSWST, CSWI, CPDM
SW06
SW07
IBM T42p, 2g proc., 1g RAM,ATI Mobility Fire GL T2
HP XW4100, 3g proc., 3g RAM, Nvidia Quadro 980 XGL
HP XW4300, 3.4g proc, 2.5g RAM, ATI Fire GL 3100

 

[Mindnumb]

I dont see why they go about it this way.

I guess some of the users here has a little experience with PC-Games. I am thinking of Valve softwares Steam. Any one who has used it knows what I mean, an update system, licence handeling and purchase channel all in one. Very elegant solution, and works like a charm. In theory, it has its loopholes, as I can share my account info with someone else, who could use my license while im asleep, but... then again, in the case of someone going through this hassle, the license would not be used more than 24 hours a day....

 

[Rocko]

Dear Sldwkmin,
Its not illegal in that there is only one person who even uses the software, thats me. Which means there are not three of me so then the software can only be used at one time. Also when I originally bought my software my VAR said it was ok , that was a condition of purchasing the software. Also it is illegal by our State Law for SW to change licensing agreements during a contract term (my existing maintenance that is still in affect and paid for).

 

[Rocko]

In the end I think SW will find that the user base will have a big issue with this. I am inclined to no longer be on maintenance if they keep making big changes without even a letter to let us know there intentions. It seems they could care less what we think, thus they are becoming like the old Autodesk & Pro-E crowd and that is not what fueled SW growth. I have also heard a rumor that they are raising maintenance prices for 2008. Hell they are even losing functionality such as MoldXpress yet they are looking to raise prices. I am concerned of the trend I am seeing and thus I will make decisions based upon this. In the end maintenance really never did much for me but to allow some sense of feature transfer capability with some clients, but in the end its not worth the cost of maintenance in that we create all the designs anyway and they can live with a dumb solid model if I let them.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

when I originally bought my software my VAR said it was ok

The SW license agreement has not changed ... your VAR was either wrong or lying.


SW07-SP3.1
SW06-SP5.1

 

[rporter]

Rocko,
SolidWorks did inform us of the change with sp3. It was stated in a tech aleart and is still stated in the download section of the customer portal.

Scott,
Thank you for clearing up that there is not a change to the home use standalone license.

Microsoft started web based activation with windows xp when it came out and you will see more of this type of activation from more companys but that is just my oppinion.

 

[SBaugh]

Rocko,

If you have 3 computers, then you can install SW on all 3 stations. But only 2 of them are are going to be active at one time. The very quick and easy fix for this is to simple transfer your license from one system to another. You simple click "Transfer License" and it sends it back to SW. You fire SW up on the other station and it goes on the web and registers that computer. That is the legal way to do it. Your VAR is wrong and was incorrect in telling you that. You only get a total of 2 license one at work and one at home. The theory is you can be in both places at the same time. Not that you can't use 2 at the same time. Customers have been for years taking a single serial number and placing it multiple seats... now these guys are paying the price. Like anything else in this world... the bad apples are what causes the rest of us to pay... but I don't see the Activation thing as a bad thing at all. It's a good thing, I know you don't agree with me, but you have not been setting up your computer legally and for that your are one of the ones that this product activation was design for. I am not being rude or pointing fingers, only pointing out the what has caused this to happen.

Product activation has been discuss a number of times. One place to go is to the SW forum. There you can probably get more information then you will here, because a lot of the SW guys are in on those conversations. I am glad they have made some changes to protect themselves, but I know the hackers will find away around this... they always do, but it makes it harder for them to find one.

Sorry you feel that being off Subscription is the right thing to do. But like all new things that SW releases we all get a custom to these changes and keep moving forward.

Best Regards Rocko!

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[fcsuper]

Rocko,

From the AutoCAD 1980's example, I'm inclined to agree with you. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 comes from and has perpetuated an ideology about licensing and copyright that just doesn't match the real world. All those companies that benefited from piracy all now claim it is costing them billions. It's all very hypocritical. However, I do think SolidWorks is trying to do their best, though I feel there are better directions they can go with this.

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA

http://sw.fcsuper.com/index.php

 

[Rocko]

FCSUPER,
What is even more hypocritical is that you pay for good software (that is expected and should work) but it comes with bugs and problems that cost you money and there is no way to sue or be reimbursed because the software guys (microsoft & others) have lobbied the hell out of congress to give them a pass.
Dont even try to give me the bs example of how complicated the code is. Airplanes , Helicopters are as much or more complicated and the mfgs can be sued if they do not work.
I hope the time is coming that a stupid programming error on SW side costs someone money , they will one day be able to sue. Perhaps then we will get better software control on the quality of the program then doing the age old throw it out there and patch and patch and patch ect...