Software registration lock (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by Pietrasagh@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

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.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[-] lemann@lemmy.one 13 points 1 year ago

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

[-] Appoxo@lemmy.dbzer0.com 4 points 1 year ago

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...

[-] DudeDudenson@lemmings.world 1 points 1 year ago

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

[-] eluvatar@programming.dev 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)

this post was submitted on 14 Nov 2023

17 points (94.7% liked)

Ask Lemmy

26916 readers

1675 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions

Please don't post about US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world

Rules: (interactive)

1) Be nice and; have fun

Doxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them

2) All posts must end with a '?'

This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?

3) No spam

Please do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.

4) NSFW is okay, within reason

Just remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].

5) This is not a support community.

It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.

Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.