Plugins/Companies using serial, a keyfile, or watermark copy protection

[audiojunkie]

Just wanted to point out that although the activation of Cableguys products is offline keyfiles, their NoiseShaper and ReverbShaper need an online connection to download their necessary (crypted) files and download links for offline use aren't provided.

That's just as bad as challenge/response -- If that customer is reliant upon the company to obtain the software, then if a company goes out of business they won't be able to use their software anymore. That really defeats the whole purpose. I'll remove them from the list. Thank you for letting me know!

[audiojunkie]

Nice list. Without derailing, I'd be interested in knowing if any of these are using JUCE, since I see a trend of their parent company slowly implementing required connections in them. (Mostly with managers.) I look for "download once, install as needed" for each version. Definitely watching this thread and will probably give some of these companies another demo.

I somehow missed this message. Are you saying that you believe that in the future all plugins requiring JUCE are going to have a form of challenge/response activation in the future? I don't see this happening, if that's what you are saying. Maybe it would become an option in a future version, but I don't see it being forced on any developer.

....or maybe I'm misunderstanding?

[audiojunkie]

Superwave?

Wow!! I didn't even know that company still existed!! I remember when their products were highly praised! I thought they had stopped development though. But it's got a nice website and everything! I'll add them!

[BBFG#]

Nice list. Without derailing, I'd be interested in knowing if any of these are using JUCE, since I see a trend of their parent company slowly implementing required connections in them. (Mostly with managers.) I look for "download once, install as needed" for each version. Definitely watching this thread and will probably give some of these companies another demo.

I somehow missed this message. Are you saying that you believe that in the future all plugins requiring JUCE are going to have a form of challenge/response activation in the future? I don't see this happening, if that's what you are saying. Maybe it would become an option in a future version, but I don't see it being forced on any developer.

....or maybe I'm misunderstanding?

Not saying that. Just noticing subtle changes with those that use it and seemingly starting after the acquisition. Not making any determinative claim right now, but it is a signal to me to keep a close watch on. "Subtle changes" include implementations of download managers and/or associations with other developers that actively use the parent product. They rarely spring anything on us all at once, but by one little thing at a time. Worth keeping an eye on IMO.

"Download Once, Install As Needed" is my watched for consideration.

On a good note, with this extra information you're presenting here, I've been giving Loomer Aspect 2 a better demo run through and am quite enjoying it. Thanks.

[audiojunkie]

Nice list. Without derailing, I'd be interested in knowing if any of these are using JUCE, since I see a trend of their parent company slowly implementing required connections in them. (Mostly with managers.) I look for "download once, install as needed" for each version. Definitely watching this thread and will probably give some of these companies another demo.

I somehow missed this message. Are you saying that you believe that in the future all plugins requiring JUCE are going to have a form of challenge/response activation in the future? I don't see this happening, if that's what you are saying. Maybe it would become an option in a future version, but I don't see it being forced on any developer.

....or maybe I'm misunderstanding?

Not saying that. Just noticing subtle changes with those that use it and seemingly starting after the acquisition. Not making any determinative claim right now, but it is a signal to me to keep a close watch on. "Subtle changes" include implementations of download managers and/or associations with other developers that actively use the parent product. They rarely spring anything on us all at once, but by one little thing at a time. Worth keeping an eye on IMO.

"Download Once, Install As Needed" is my watched for consideration.

On a good note, with this extra information you're presenting here, I've been giving Loomer Aspect 2 a better demo run through and am quite enjoying it. Thanks.

It's been good for me too! I have been giving a lot of these vendors a good look. I am glad to hear that GForce was confirmed to be one of the good ones! Some of the vendors I hadn't looked in to before, because I thought they used challenge/response. I hope people will find more vendors using the good copy protection, and let us know about it! The bigger the list, the greater the shopping selection!

[audiojunkie]

So... Is "Audiority / Polychrome DSP" the same entity or ownership? They look completely separate to me...

[mi-os]

@audiojunkie

I almost got a heart attack when reading that GForce is calling home.

Please don't spread unverified information. You're interpreting texts found on developers websites as facts. It's illogical to come to the conclusion that something must be calling home because there is a parallel activation limit. Such a limit can be defined regardless of the type of copy protection.

Otherwise i think it is always a good idea to have such a list at hand. The list just should be correct and updated regularly.

[audiojunkie]

@audiojunkie

I almost got a heart attack when reading that GForce is calling home.

Please don't spread unverified information. You're interpreting texts found on developers websites as facts. It's illogical to come to the conclusion that something must be calling home because there is a parallel activation limit. Such a limit can be defined regardless of the type of copy protection.

Otherwise i think it is always a good idea to have such a list at hand. The list just should be correct and updated regularly.

Aside from three or four of these where I know personally that they meet the standard, I've been taking everyone's word on things. If that isn't spreading unverified information, then I don't know what is. I am trying to be overly cautious so that no one gets misled by something on the list, but if I end up making a mistake, I prefer to err on the side of caution. I am trying my best to post a good list, but EVERYONE that cares about this needs to help. You will see that I posted GForce's response. It's verified now that it fits the original criteria. However, if I were to wait until each and every developer responded to a query, then there would never be a list--this has to be a team effort. Do you have any plugins from companies that are not on the list that require only a serial or keyfile and meet the criteria on the first page? It would be great if you have some!

[mi-os]

Yeah, it's a bit tricky without accurate statements by the developers themselves. Maybe the type of protection should be integrated into the KVR plugin database, either per plgin or per developer. That way there would be a central information point.

[audiojunkie]

Added:

DDMF
Admiral Quality
Wusik
2cAudio
112dB
Illformed.com
Kuassa
GuDa Audio
Inear Display
Boz Digital Labs
DMG Audio
Surreal Machines
Volko Audio
Freak Show Industries
Cockos
Denise Audio
DSPPlug
MuTools

[audiojunkie]

If any of you developers meet the criteria on the first page and would like to be included, please feel free to speak up!

[Frankie.T]

Are you sure about Denise Audio? I thought they used C/R

[PebbleInAStream]

Apologies if this is slightly off-topic, but wouldn't a watermark leave a difference in the sound? That seems like a terrible way to do copyright protection.

[whyterabbyt]

I prefer to err on the side of caution.

But its not 'erring on the side of caution' to specifically assert that software is doing something like calling home. That's erring on the side of alarmism.
You're specifically claiming its not okay, erring on the side of caution would be saying 'I dont know so cannot consider it okay.'

[audiojunkie]

Are you sure about Denise Audio? I thought they used C/R

I have not yet emailed them. I’ll make it a question mark until it is absolutely confirmed.