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Software registration lock (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hi, some years ago (2019) I purchased landscaping program 'Punch! Deck & Landscape' from punchsoftware.com. I wanted to install it on new computer but on-line registration of license key failed.

Their support said that I need to buy new version and gave me 20% discount.

They seems to not care that purchased software had lifetime license:

"Unfortunately with changes in technologies the registration server that the older programs used were rendered obsolete and thus rendered the older programs (v20 and older) unsupportable. This is why we offer the discounts to customers who have those older programs."

...

"As newer product is released, they replace the older versions, thus the upgrade systems that are in place for customers who have the older products, so they do not have to purchase new product regularly at full retail pricing. "

Is there any way to fight those assholes? The company is located in US.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Fight with your wallet by...

🏴‍☠️
An OSS/”source available" alternative
Buy alternative from another company that has a less restrictive licensing scheme, make sure you are happy with the definitions in the EULA

If you want to go the legal route, see what they define "lifetime license" as in the software EULA. I am not a legal expert, so ensure you get professional guidance should you choose this

If you still have the original computer kicking around, depending on how the software licensing works they may have a license file saved somewhere (maybe in appdata, or program files). Grab that and pop it in the same location on the new system and see if that works

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Especially check what the EULA was at the time of purchase.
I am no lawyer but I suspect you can't just retroactively change the EULA-terms and conditions...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I think you can when you say you're selling a license and not a copy of the software

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Funny I recently had someone ask the same thing. This is pretty much the only route you can go. And 🏴‍☠️ sadly the only reliable one (if the software is popular enough)