Plugin Alliance new transfer policy caused concerns and is corrected...

[woggle]

So a $20 transfer fee AND the transferee gets an NFR license?

Seems so.

Disappointing

don't think that is correct - NFR kicks in after the second transfer, so it can be sold twice. I wonder how someone knows how many times it has been sold previously tho

[martinjuenke]

So a $20 transfer fee AND the transferee gets an NFR license?

Seems so.

Disappointing

don't think that is correct - NFR kicks in after the second transfer, so it can be sold twice. I wonder how someone knows how many times it has been sold previously tho

Don‘t think you‘re right. IMO it‘s NFR after only one sale.
https://support.plugin-alliance.com/sup ... strictions

[Russell Grand]

Doesn't seem that bad if you're not in the second hand license selling business.

The only thing that my be concerning is that the license becomes NFR after second transfer.

+1

[martinjuenke]

Doesn't seem that bad if you're not in the second hand license selling business.

The only thing that my be concerning is that the license becomes NFR after second transfer.

+1

NFR after ONE sale (see above)

[Russell Grand]

Yikes, NFR after just one transfer seems a little overkill to me.

[HcDoom]

They changed the approach to license transfer part of their business because people exploited it to the max. Another thing is that people was selling their plugins for 5 do 25$ just to get rid of them, which long term wise makes their company look like they produce cheap low quality plugins and they certainly dont want that. Plus, there are people who would buy 2nd or 3rd hand great plugin for 25$ and than sell it afterwards to some poor naive soul for 75$. Another thing is people who sell plugins which are free (Soundtoys have this issue as well). Basically, I understand them completely. If they would introduce these new rules but without transfer fee, that would be better approach to customers. But all these changes and keeping license transfer fee considering you get nfr after that, is not right.

[woggle]

Doesn't seem that bad if you're not in the second hand license selling business.

The only thing that my be concerning is that the license becomes NFR after second transfer.

+1

NFR after ONE sale (see above)

from PA - "and the same plugin can only be transferred twice."

I read that as you buy it, sell it, - that is one transfer, then the other person sells it, that is two transfers and now the third person has an NFR license.

[mutantdog]

"Licenses that were previously transferred to you" implies any second-hand license. I personally only have two secondhand license in my account and both are no longer available in my list of transferrable licences. I don't get how anyone has come to the NFR after second transfer conclusion.

What is a little strange is the bit about licenses with outstanding fees not being resellable. That was actually their policy before although not explicitly stated. Now though it seems irrelevent since (assuming the outstanding fees are for transfer) then it falls under the previously transferred license clause.

I can see why they might want to clamp down on it. The marketplace on here was for a while flooded with PA stuff massively undervaluing the new price, even discounted, especially since transfer fees can be paid with vouchers.

I could also speculate that some people may just be using their vouchers now to pick up stuff to resell, this is probably meant as a deterrent to that. Anyway PA make up and change their rules all the time, as their latest email shows they even go as far as to retcon history in almost Orwellian manner.

[martinjuenke]

Conclusion for me is:
Be careful when buying PA stuff. Think twice.
I love a couple of things coming from them.
For example BX_Subsynth, BlackBox HG2, ADPTR MetricAB and the Unfiltered Audio gems.
But party time is over...

[plexuss]

Yes, this is a stupid move by PA and Dirk. But, it's not like they have been immune from stupidity. I own 99% of their plugins which I bought directly from them. I have emailed Dirk to let him know I am not happy about this and it will negatively impact my future purchase decisions. Oh well.

[cthonophonic]

I believe that the two transfer limit for the "same plugin" just means that if you have, say a dozen copies of bx_tuner that you got on sale, you can only sell two of them. I remember that part being in the old transfer policy, which was probably worded more clearly.

I suppose that they've got a right to change their policy, just as people have a right not to buy from them anymore, but the part that seems kind of underhanded to me is that it's retroactive, so anything you bought from them before (new or used) is effectively worth much less now than it was before.

[woggle]

I believe that the two transfer limit for the "same plugin" just means that if you have, say a dozen copies of bx_tuner that you got on sale, you can only sell two of them. I remember that part being in the old transfer policy, which was probably worded more clearly.

I suppose that they've got a right to change their policy, just as people have a right not to buy from them anymore, but the part that seems kind of underhanded to me is that it's retroactive, so anything you bought from them before (new or used) is effectively worth much less now than it was before.

ah I understand now. transfer becomes NFR after one. That is a bit tough with a fee as well. Also agree that it is unethical to apply that retrospectively (if that is what has happened)

thanks.

[mutantdog]

Consider that PA's business model is largely focussed now on bringing other developers in to the Alliance with them handling the retail/promotion/etc side of things. It is possible that some devs may have been put off joining based on the amount of secondhand trade going on with them.

[martinjuenke]

Consider that PA's business model is largely focussed now on bringing other developers in to the Alliance with them handling the retail/promotion/etc side of things. It is possible that some devs may have been put off joining based on the amount of secondhand trade going on with them.

VERTIGO for example...

[lnikj]

I suppose that they've got a right to change their policy, just as people have a right not to buy from them anymore, but the part that seems kind of underhanded to me is that it's retroactive, so anything you bought from them before (new or used) is effectively worth much less now than it was before.

I have little doubt that buried in the small print that you and I have never read is the right to do whatever they want with your licence.

I think it's fair enough. If you are a customer then you get probably the best loyalty bonuses going. People seek to exploit that. That's a fact, not a judgement.

It damages resale massively of course, just as Melda's policy does, but both companies give you plenty too, compared to, say, FXPansion or IKM for example.