FL Studio 20.9 | Released

[Image-Line]

The problem we are facing is that people are sharing Regkeys. By the 10,000's of installations.

What do yo propose?

Update the EULA with measures in place to safeguard our ability to use the software in the event that IL go out of business. Ideally some sort of software escrow or similar process in place to provide access to a DRM-free version/the source code in the event of a worst case scenario.

That is something we are considering. Since we know this change would scare a few people.

But it doesn't really change anything in the long-run. Bit rot gets all software sooner or later even with these measures in place. If you are on macOS Apple Silicon is a great example of just such an event.

Windows may also end up on ARM.

[T-CM11]

FL Studio now uses Hardware-based DRM (like Challenge Response). Assholes!

I'll just keep using the older version, or find some 'other' way to back up the software

The problem we are facing is that people are sharing Regkeys. By the 10,000's of installations.

What do yo propose?

We allow you to unlock on as many machines as you like. We give Lifetime Free Updates.

Hardly *holes.

The online unlock system works simply by logging into your account through FL Studio just as it always has. No challenge-response.

In this case if you want a Regkey that can be used offline. Its locked to the PC it was made for. Hardly an issue. You can make as many as you like any time you like.

What is the objection here exactly?

It doesn't matter what name it has - it's hardware-based online activation DRM. If my computer hardware fails, FL Studio will stop working unless Image Line gives me permission to use it on a new PC. The amount of activations permitted doesn't turn it into something else. You don't convince me by saying "it could be worse".
No DRM used to be one of the most important reasons for me to pick/buy FL Studio.

I'm not getting into a piracy discussion. We disagree, let's leave it at that.

You stop trusting me as a (paying, not pirating, not key-sharing) customer, I stop trusting you as a company.

Thanks for interacting with me anyway, there's that at least.

[nix808]

thanks for the explanation of the copyright protection scheme.
my use of fl will be unaffected
almost all software houses require calling home these days
most of my soft is tied to such usual measures
buying software is not really owning anything often as far as i can interpret
i hope you are continuous until u commercially morph and don't really cease to exist

thanks for the work il

i just found out that the dinky toy fl slayer is really a characterful and masterful instrument

[Caine123]

21 then with crash protection?

I hope this drm doesnt corrupt the system... this is really a shame....

[sjm]

That is something we are considering.

Good.

But it doesn't really change anything in the long-run. Bit rot gets all software sooner or later even with these measures in place. If you are on macOS Apple Silicon is a great example of just such an event.

Windows may also end up on ARM.

Let's not distract with strawmen.

[gruberman]

FL Studio now uses Hardware-based DRM (like Challenge Response). Assholes!

I'll just keep using the older version, or find some 'other' way to back up the software

Assholes? f**k you too.

[D-Fusion]

FL Studio now uses Hardware-based DRM (like Challenge Response). Assholes!

I'll just keep using the older version, or find some 'other' way to back up the software

The problem we are facing is that people are sharing Regkeys. By the 10,000's of installations.

What do yo propose?

We allow you to unlock on as many machines as you like. We give Lifetime Free Updates.

Hardly *holes.

The online unlock system works simply by logging into your account through FL Studio just as it always has. No challenge-response.

In this case if you want a Regkey that can be used offline. Its locked to the PC it was made for. Hardly an issue. You can make as many as you like any time you like.

What is the objection here exactly?

That sounds Great.
It is almost as it was then except for some extra safety for you which is ok in my book

Always loved the regkey protection and i Always do a image backup once everything music related is in place.

[Teksonik]

Unbelievable that someone would be paranoid that Image-Line will go out of business then cry when the company takes a step to protect themselves from piracy which will help them say in business.

The new copy protection is dead simple and doesn't require the installation of third party malware like iLok or CodeMeter nor does it require a dongle. No you can't share your reg codes with all your friends now but then that's the whole reason the new system is required.

To those who insist on keeping their DAWs offline, it's nearly 2022 and even people's refrigerators are connected to the internet. If you practice good security habits having your DAW online is a non-issue....unless you have something to hide.

[Dunbar]

....unless you have something to hide.

What's your KVR password?

[Teksonik]

....unless you have something to hide.

What's your KVR password?

So you're afraid your studio computer will get hacked? Like I said if you practice good security habits then it's a non-issue.

My studio computer is connected only for copy protection handshakes and product updates. It never surfs the net, never checks email, never does social media etc. It has all security and OS updates.

I have done it it this way for many many years without an issue. Keeping your DAW totally offline these days is just not practical.

[SLiC]

Thanks for another great 'free' update

[dermichl]

IL are rather Infamous for offloading their commercial risks onto the paying customers!!!

Example?

We are famous for being the most generous DAW on the block. And proud of it.

That‘s quite easy: you explain to us that you have to take measures against cracks (which everybody does understand!) but you impose extra obstacles onto the paying customers and always take your life time free updates as an excuse. So you offload your risks as company onto your customers (that paid good money). qed

[MirkoVanHauten]

IL are rather Infamous for offloading their commercial risks onto the paying customers!!!

Example?

We are famous for being the most generous DAW on the block. And proud of it.

That‘s quite easy: you explain to us that you have to take measures against cracks (which everybody does understand!) but you impose extra obstacles onto the paying customers and always take your life time free updates as an excuse. So you offload your risks as company onto your customers (that paid good money). qed

They are infamous for offloading commercial risks onto paying customers for a DRM measurement they've just introduced with the most recent version and doesn't affect 99% of the customers at all? Those mind gymnastics...

[dermichl]

same to you

[Shabdahbriah]

Unbelievable that someone would be paranoid that Image-Line will go out of business then cry when the company takes a step to protect themselves from piracy which will help them stay in business.

Indeed. Double

Thank you IL for the update. Looks fab.