When Copy Protection has the Same Effect as Piracy?

[Tjivory]

We all have heard about some companies calling it quits because of the effect of piracy (keisel helga for one), but this is the first time I've read that the same copy protection method used to prevent piracy (and thus keep companies going) has had a similar effect to the same thing that it is protecting against. By all means use copy protection but I'd hate to see this a trend as the CP becomes more expensive. Are creators only entitled to CP intelligent property as long as it brings a minimum amount of annual income?

Here is from KVR.

Roger Linn Design discontinues AdrenaLinn Sync

Roger Linn has posted this statement on their AdrenaLinn Sync webpage:

"Note: As of April 22, I (Roger) am no longer selling AdrenaLinn Sync. Why?
First, I've been waiting three years for our development partner Way Out Ware to deliver a working 64-bit AU version that can be installed in Mac OS Yosemite. Second, our copy protection provider Nalpeiron has informed us that as of this year, they are more than tripling their annual fee to $5000 (not including per-license fees), which is much more than we earn from sales of AdrenaLinn Sync. So I give up. If you own a license for AdrenaLinn Sync, your existing installations will continue to work fine but I'm sorry to report that after May 10, you won't be able to install AdrenaLinn Sync on a new computer. It's a shame because I think AdrenaLinn Sync is a very inspiring musical processor."

[aciddose]

If the copy protection was the issue it could simply be removed.

Obviously the $5000 isn't the issue.

Making less than $5000 per year however may be an issue.

Doing an AU version for x64, assuming they wrote this code a long time ago using plain old carbon and need to write a new library using cocoa and obj-c... It really depends upon exactly which code is involved and what it does.

If we're talking just the bare-bones implementation that shows a GUI sized bitmap inside a window and handles mouse events, this might be just fine to write for $5000...

If we're talking a large, complex interface including many resources implemented in carbon that may not exist in cocoa meaning many things needing to be rewritten and some entirely new implementation... Okay, $50,000?

Sounds like an unpopular, failed product that couldn't even afford to have itself written in the first place.

[Lejurai]

For me copy protection has the effect of "not buying" For example I have bought all Xils Lab synths that use only serial, but skipped all that use something dongle oriented. Copy protection is fine though if it works and doesn't require any third party software (like elicenser).

[T-CM11]

Code: Select all

but I'm sorry to report that after May 10, you won't be able to install AdrenaLinn Sync on a new computer. It's a shame because I think AdrenaLinn Sync is a very inspiring musical processor."

The asshole!

[BERFAB]

We all, collectively, pay a higher price for theft and fraud. Not just on software, but in every day life. Just about any product or service you can purchase has some factor of "leakage" built into the cost. It's higher on some things, but it's still there nonetheless. So the bad actions of a few always hurt the many.

I personally never bought into the argument that warez actually helps devs with sales. To whatever extent that warez will actually make a sale or two, the vast majority that use warez will never actually purchase the illegal software that they use. So it's important for devs to protect themselves. But, as with everything, there are costs involved with that.

Finally, while I'm sure no one "prefers" dongled software, it's pretty clear that, right now, in 2015, it has become essential to providing top notch protection. For studio work, I don't understand the reluctance to use dongles. The software is pretty transparent these days. It is, of course, different for gigging musicians who always run the risk of damage, loss or theft of the dongles while on the road. But as technology marches forward, I remain confident that, in time, these problems will be solved.

Cheers
-B

[Aloysius]

We all have know about some companies calling it quits because of the effect of piracy (keisel helga for one)..."

I just looked and it seems to be for sale. Unit Price: EUR 77.00 I don't really know anything about that company though.

The Way Out Ware Roger Linn thing has a lot to do with the personalities involved imho. I for one have had negative experiences with both.

[T-CM11]

So the bad actions of a few always hurt the many.

Indeed, and those few are the DRM implementing developers.
I don't buy that "excuses for repression" thing.

[fluffy_little_something]

For me copy protection has the effect of "not buying" For example I have bought all Xils Lab synths that use only serial, but skipped all that use something dongle oriented. Copy protection is fine though if it works and doesn't require any third party software (like elicenser).

Isn't a serial/code/key solution also a kind of cp?

I wonder why someone would pay so much money for someone else to provide cp when other companies manage to use their own, simple, secure solution...

[BERFAB]

So the bad actions of a few always hurt the many.

Indeed, and those few are the DRM implementing developers.
I don't buy that "excuses for repression" thing.

I'm not sure I understand your characterization.

Do you have locks on your doors at home? Your car? Or do you prefer to leave those things open to anyone who would like to wander in uninvited, because locks are an "excuse for repression?"

Software theft is easy, and requires creativity to prevent. Maybe DRM is not the best answer. If not, I'm confident that some of the best minds on the planet are working on a better way. That's because a better answer is very valuable, and whoever comes up with it will be handsomely rewarded. Meantime, we are where we are, and while the current tools may not be perfect, they are all we have at the moment.

The only other option is to get EVERYONE to agree not to steal software. But I don't see that happening anytime soon. So, like I said, the current reality is that we all pay the price.

Cheers
-B

[T-CM11]

So the bad actions of a few always hurt the many.

Indeed, and those few are the DRM implementing developers.
I don't buy that "excuses for repression" thing.

I'm not sure I understand your characterization.

Do you have locks on your doors at home? Your car? Or do you prefer to leave those things open to anyone who would like to wander in uninvited, because locks are an "excuse for repression?"

What do you mean? Did somebody buy something that's behind locked door in my house? Or does someone else control the locks on my door? Or is your ability to make good comparisons locked away?

[Lejurai]

Isn't a serial/code/key solution also a kind of cp?

I wonder why someone would pay so much money for someone else to provide cp when other companies manage to use their own, simple, secure solution...

Well yea.. Guess I didn't bring myself clear "Light" copy protection is fine. Customers name/email/creditcard number watermarked in code.. Serials.. Anything that doesn't make the software itself to use extra cpu cycles. Especially I hate those that make the software unusable if you don't have internet connection OR the server on other end is down or closed.

Of course I understand that devs want to protect their work but when forcing have brought anything good/success? Now they try to force people to buy legit software and does it work? No, it doesn't. Practically everything is available cracked except stuff from propellerheads.

[chk071]

So the bad actions of a few always hurt the many.

Indeed, and those few are the DRM implementing developers.

Seriously?

[aciddose]

I'm not sure why you're all so effectively distracted by the hand-waving Linn posted.

As I said, this is simply a way to save face and avoid having to admit that this is a failed product.

For whatever reasons, including perhaps lack of interest/sales, poor management, poor design, low quality programming, lack of foresight and so forth.

If he'd told the truth and said "this product doesn't make me any money, so f**k you guys, I'm going home and taking my ball with me" you'd have been a bit more pissed off, right?

Well you damn well should be.

[aciddose]

Keep in mind though of course he could've posted something like:

Unfortunately the product costs more to publish than we make in a year, and there have been issues with development and updates to the product between myself and the developer. Due to this, I will no longer be able to publish this product or provide the licensing services due to their cost.

I'd love to publish a copy with the copy protection stripped out available to all our loyal customers and fans. Unfortunately, our hands are tied due to licenses and I'm unable/unwilling to purchase the rights required to allow me to do this due to the cost and effort required.

I'm very sorry things had to turn out this way and I will continue to do my best to provide support to fans of the product. Unfortunately, if you own the product you won't be able to freshly register it on a new PC after ...

Yet, he didn't say this.

[T-CM11]

If he'd told the truth and said "this product doesn't make me any money, so f**k you guys, I'm going home and taking my ball with me" you'd have been a bit more pissed off, right?

Well you damn well should be.

Nope, the result is the same. I don't care how he says it.