The future of piracy

[ehbes]

This isn't another thread about whether you think its right or wrong or any of that stuff so lets please not go there.

ok moving on, as some of you may know, In 2010 Propellerhead rolled out a new system of authorization they called the "Propellerhead Ignition Key". Since its implementation, it has yet to be cracked.(yes that is why there are so few reason 6 tutorials on youtube, cuz people can't download it for free) But more to the point, do you think this so far unbeaten system will be implemented into other DAW's, or do you think that some companies may not opt for more secure downloads because of the user base they grow from "try before buyers" ? personally id like to see this used in more software, I'm looking at you image line and native instruments. Opinions?

[Attila]

How does the Ignition Key differ from current anti piracy measures? Is it some sort of dongle or something?

I personally see piracy slowing down when everyone has a constant, reliable internet connection so you'd have to be connected to some server to use whatever program you bought. Kind of like the shit some game developers are putting on new games now. It's completely trainwrecking for the time being, but in the future it'll be a good idea haha.

On an unrelated note, I finally got some money together and bought the rest of the software I've been using cracked copies of...feels good. And of course updates and all that good stuff.

[ehbes]

well i bought the boxed version so mine came with a usb drive that had the key on that, not sure about digital though or if they even offer it but regardless uncracked as of now

[eldoogle]

I tried before buying, and then I bought. These programs do have demos, so I think the companies might use that as a try it method and discourage cracks.

[Marzz]

Image Line should have the Ignition Key because each version is in the .dll file. The plugins that would come with the bundle would not come with it cracked though.

[wormcode]

It's not the first software that requires a dongle of course. I think it's based mostly on userbase and popularity as Cubase also requires one but it has since been emulated. The only true 'crack proof' solution are the ones that can't be emulated such as ones that rely on DSP like UAD. That's why analogue hardware companies feel comfortable working with UAD to release software versions on that platform. It's just expensive and a hassle, and the argument exists that it is useless as current CPUs can handle the processing of those plugins now. I agree to a point, but computers still struggle with some normal plugins so I dunno. Then there's the whole GPU thing.


I really disagree with what Attila said though about internet connections and contacting servers. Those callbacks and code wrapped in security create stability and efficiency issues, not to mention being intrusive. I am far more likely to buy software that doesn't have any of that. Otherwise I look for an alternative. For example Nomad Factory recently switched from a dongle to regular serial keys without needing internet access and as a result I ended up buying several of their plugins.

[ill mindset]

The future of pirate fashion:

[Depone]

Well... Cubase has had the same thing for years back, and you dont see many non legit copies in studios, so it must work out for them.
Logic used to have It too, same with protools

[drake89]

I have to use a pirated version now (go TeAm AiR) cause I lost my disk. I might be able to call them cause I think I still have the box, and obviously I have an account, but I lost the card with the serial so fack

[Brothulhu]

I bought Massive and FM8 during the bass invaders sale and I still use my pirated versions as I cba uninstalling and reinstalling

[Aufnahmewindwuschel]

we pirates of the vstian get a hard time soon

The future of pirate fashion:

thats hot hope its a girl if not still hot

[Today]

dat androgyny

[Kilo Graham]

No one is even trying to crack Cubase 6. It's kind of annoying really, that they make their software so damn expensive and wonder why no one wants to buy it. Then they offer you terrible versions of it for reasonable prices. But there's so much good software you need to get the money's worth out of a good DAW, and then you've spent even more money.

[ehbes]

So you think pirating software brings prices down?

[Kilo Graham]

So you think pirating software brings prices down?

I'm not sure, it's too soon to tell. Piracy and software in general are really, really new markets. As it is, some places can afford the software. Like recording studios, all that. Paid artists, etc. Their argument is that they don't need the common person to buy their software anyway. I think we would buy it if it were reasonably priced.

In a few years, we'll see. It's all just very new, most of it less than 15 years old.

[Basic A]

I had my first 2 releases off the FLStudio demo.

Cracking is lame. They give you everything youll ever need.

Or ffs use reaper.

[ehbes]

So you think pirating software brings prices down?

I'm not sure, it's too soon to tell. Piracy and software in general are really, really new markets. As it is, some places can afford the software. Like recording studios, all that. Paid artists, etc. Their argument is that they don't need the common person to buy their software anyway. I think we would buy it if it were reasonably priced.

In a few years, we'll see. It's all just very new, most of it less than 15 years old.

I'm sorry did you just say piracy was a new market....

[Kilo Graham]

So you think pirating software brings prices down?

I'm not sure, it's too soon to tell. Piracy and software in general are really, really new markets. As it is, some places can afford the software. Like recording studios, all that. Paid artists, etc. Their argument is that they don't need the common person to buy their software anyway. I think we would buy it if it were reasonably priced.

In a few years, we'll see. It's all just very new, most of it less than 15 years old.

I'm sorry did you just say piracy was a new market....

No, I'm saying this audio software is relatively new, with most of the stuff being less than 15 years old. There will need to be some adjustments made somewhere. The problem is reconciling the fact that the majority of people who want a DAW, or a synth, or whatever, won't be making money on it. They won't be thinking "well on my next album I'll make all this back and more!" and aren't forced into buying it. We just really want some software. We're not going to be buying the new version of the DAW every 18 months for a few hundred dollars because we can't really afford it. People like Reaper are tapping the market (50 bucks is a good price for software, about the same as a new video game).

So I don't know if piracy will drive the prices down. Many markets are untapped because of the stupidly high pricing, people would never pay for some of it. Some of the pricing is a bit like university pricing in that if it isn't expensive, most people will assume it's crap. There's just a ton of variables involved. The one I'm sure of is that I can't afford most of it. Though I did buy Komplete 6 a couple years ago.

[VirtualMark]

If it wasn't for piracy, i wouldn't have bought the synths i use now. 30 days isn't enough time to fully evaluate a synth imo. Some pirated software isn't cracked properly and has timebombs or crashes repeatedly. For me, it was worth paying to have a smooth running system.

I've always been an advocate of piracy, as i think it doesn't hurt half as much as people would have you think. But one thing i'll never support is over zealous copy protection. Such as Wormcode said, a program that needs to connect to the web all the time is useless to me as my main workstation doesn't have a web connection. I also hate dongles, i like to keep my usb bus free from unnecessary traffic, whereas some programs need to continuously make dongle calls.

I think all copy protection is crackable, even something that requires hardware - with enough skill and cpu power a hardware dsp card can be emulated. Just look at all the old game console emulators out there.

I'd much rather a company would just give you a serial number when you buy their product. U-He Diva is just a serial number, bought it and got the number in my email, no hassle. Whereas FXpansion annoyed me - they have a licenser program that starts sorting through your hard drive looking for their products. I felt that was a bit intrusive.

[blackenedtrapper]

assuming piracy was deterred, it should to some degree lower prices. still, i think the best thing is for more competition to occur in the lower price brackets for DAWs. Reaper being $60, bitwig (if and when it comes out) is supposed to be reasonably priced, and now logic is 200. $500-1000 for a daw is a bit much.