Cubase 12 leaked on Steinberg's site

[PAK]

It's like Cubase is on probation and has to check in with the probation officer every 30 days.

You'll also have the option of a 1 year check in. Which perhaps isn't quite everyones definition of perpetual?

I may be switching to a new daw eventually. Once I "own" something, I don't like feeling like somebody else owns half of it.

I think you're far from alone..

[dblock]

It's like Cubase is on probation and has to check in with the probation officer every 30 days.

You'll also have the option of a 1 year check in. Which perhaps isn't quite everyones definition of perpetual?

I may be switching to a new daw eventually. Once I "own" something, I don't like feeling like somebody else owns half of it.

I think you're far from alone..

"Check in" That's the point right there. Shouldn't have to check in at all. I bought it, I should be done with you except for updates and occasional support. Sounds cold but that's how I feel at the moment.

[chk071]

You sound like another guy who doesn't understand the difference between owning a software, and owning the license to use it. You don't own anything about the software, you only own the rights to use it, in respect of the rules the developer or vendor imposed on you. Tough, I know, but, that's how it is. Anything else unfortunately makes no sense.

[JonSolo]

I hate the idea of having a license check. But I have only software pirates to blame for that.

There is a part of me that is glad to see the dongle go. However, when I shift to a new computer, it will require that much more jumping through hoops.

[dblock]

You sound like another guy who doesn't understand the difference between owning a software, and owning the license to use it. You don't own anything about the software, you only own the rights to use it, in respect of the rules the developer or vendor imposed on you. Tough, I know, but, that's how it is. Anything else unfortunately makes no sense.

That sounds a bit condescending but ok, maybe I could have explained it better for those who don't get what I'm saying. I understand the difference between owning and licensing. I realize I've never technically owned it. To me, owning in respect to licensed anything simply means my level of control allowed under a license agreement and I happen to feel I'm losing a level of control having to check in my software once I've paid for it. Hope that is clearer.

[chk071]

You sound like another guy who doesn't understand the difference between owning a software, and owning the license to use it. You don't own anything about the software, you only own the rights to use it, in respect of the rules the developer or vendor imposed on you. Tough, I know, but, that's how it is. Anything else unfortunately makes no sense.

That sounds a bit condescending but ok, maybe I could have explained it better for those that don't understand what I mean. I understand the difference between owning and licensing. I realize I've never technically owned it. To me owning in respect to licensed anything simply means my level of control allowed under a license agreement and I happen to feel I'm losing a level of control having to check in my software once I've paid for it. Hope that is clearer.

But, you have to do that with any kind of copy protection. I'm just saying that it's one of the things which are stated in the terms of usage (or elsewhere), among the other gazillion of things you can or you can't do with the software.

[felis]

I would like a hardware Cubase box. Record midi and audio. No updates - just fully working with no bugs like it should be.
Use it for 30 or 40 years until something breaks and then get another one.

[dblock]

You sound like another guy who doesn't understand the difference between owning a software, and owning the license to use it. You don't own anything about the software, you only own the rights to use it, in respect of the rules the developer or vendor imposed on you. Tough, I know, but, that's how it is. Anything else unfortunately makes no sense.

That sounds a bit condescending but ok, maybe I could have explained it better for those that don't understand what I mean. I understand the difference between owning and licensing. I realize I've never technically owned it. To me owning in respect to licensed anything simply means my level of control allowed under a license agreement and I happen to feel I'm losing a level of control having to check in my software once I've paid for it. Hope that is clearer.

But, you have to do that with any kind of copy protection. I'm just saying that it's one of the things which are stated in the terms of usage (or elsewhere), among the other gazillion of things you can or you can't do with the software.

I haven't been checking in Cubase with an e-licensor. It just stays plugged in. But I will have to start. That's the difference. I would much prefer "licensing" my software once then leaving it alone until there's an update as I have been all along and not having to do anything after that. That's all I'm saying. Can I live with it ? sure. I just don't like it.

[chk071]

You forgot to say that you have to check in when you activated the license. You also forgot to say that this piece of dongle permanently blocks one of your USB ports, just for the vendor to make sure that "your" software isn't use in disregard of the licensing/usage terms.

Anyway, not here to defend, or attack anything. It's totally up to you what make out of Steinberg's new licensing system. I'm all for voting with your wallet. Anything else is just blah which fills web space.

[v1o]

You sound like another guy who doesn't understand the difference between owning a software, and owning the license to use it. You don't own anything about the software, you only own the rights to use it, in respect of the rules the developer or vendor imposed on you. Tough, I know, but, that's how it is. Anything else unfortunately makes no sense.

That sounds a bit condescending but ok, maybe I could have explained it better for those who don't get what I'm saying. I understand the difference between owning and licensing. I realize I've never technically owned it. To me, owning in respect to licensed anything simply means my level of control allowed under a license agreement and I happen to feel I'm losing a level of control having to check in my software once I've paid for it. Hope that is clearer.

I wouldn't be surprised if the elicenser is already snooping around your system and doing regular online checks. I don't think there will be much difference in practice. Steinberg have a record somewhere of everytime you changed your GPU or motherboard

[chk071]

I don't think it does. So, yeah, if you're permanently offline with your studio machine, like all those oddballs on KVR Audio obviously are *wink wink*, then this new method is not for you.

[Freaqpeak]

Im a Cubase (dongle) and Bitwig ("online checkin") user. Both works just fine with either method. Of course I prefer serial based protections (U-he and others).
If Bitwig or Steinberg went out of business its a problem,.. unless they activated unlimited usage time before going down...

I dont mind Cubase doing online checks, 50% of my software already does this (Adobes Cloud is the worst of them imho).

[pixel85]

There will be an option to use offline activation that needs to be renewed after one year. It's all in FAQ: https://www.steinberg.net/licensing/faq/

[dblock]

You forgot to say that you have to check in when you activated the license. You also forgot to say that this piece of dongle permanently blocks one of your USB ports, just for the vendor to make sure that "your" software isn't use in disregard of the licensing/usage terms.

Anyway, not here to defend, or attack anything. It's totally up to you what make out of Steinberg's new licensing system. I'm all for voting with your wallet. Anything else is just blah which fills web space.

Well, forums ARE for filling webspace aren't they? It's just discussion. Can't say I "forgot" to say anything I didn't mean to say in the first place but that's fine.
You consider activating a license a "check in". If that's how you see it that's ok. I call activating a license a one time "setup." That's not ongoing. NOW it will be ongoing. That is my point. I'm not against the company doing what's in their best interest. If I decide it's less of a pia than I thought, I'll roll with it. As far as blocking a USB port well, c'mon. That's kind of reaching don't you think? I mean,who would count that?

[chk071]

If Bitwig or Steinberg went out of business its a problem,.. unless they activated unlimited usage time before going down...

TBH, that's another thing people often don't worry about too much. There are options. Companies can remove the protection when they go out of business. Or, they can offer alternatives, when thge software gets discontinued.

I had 2 webspace providers which went out of business (Yahoo Geocities and Ubuntu One), and they both announced a year before they ceased their service that I should backup my files. I know, not the same thing as continuing to provide web space, but, at the very least, companies make sure that you don't lose your stuff. Especially with Steinberg, I wouldn't know where they're coming from. Steinberg is one the biggest companies in the audio software business. Very unlikely to cease business any time soon.