When I started my business, I made a pledged to myself to be honourable about all of my software. And it started with the legal purchase of an Adobe suite. Four programs for more than a thousand dollars. Ya, it hurt, but I felt good about buying and registering software legally.
Fast forward 3 years. I legally upgraded my Premiere pro 1.5 to CS4 (the latest model) for another hefty fee. I’m still feeling good about my purchases. I got a few tiny perks that came with a serial # that I “owned”.
But then the $h!t hit the fan aallllll at once. After (also legally) purchasing some 3rd party plug-ins for my Premiere Pro and registering them, I get a message that says “YOU CAN ONLY HAVE YOUR PROGRAM ON TWO COMPUTERS” and a 30 day countdown until the demise of the software on my brand new HD edit suite.
I was livid.
What the hell are they doing telling me I can only have software I purchased on two computers? Didn’t I buy it??? You don’t buy crackers and then are told you can only eat them outdoors… Being the organized self that I am, I called the company thinking I would receive the “Oh so sorry Mr. Burwell, one more computer isn’t a problem at all”.
No.
Instead I sat on hold for close to an hour of my time over 3-4 phone calls. Not a single person even hinted at the idea of allowing me one more machine. No manager, sales manager, or anyone in the call centre.
Sony Vegas Platinum (software I used to use) offered me FIVE more computer uses once I reached the initial FIVE computer limitation. When I told this to Adobe, they said nothing.
So for being a loyal and legal customer for 4 years and with a software upgrade, they kicked me to the ground and told me to buy a brand….freaking….new….serial key. To the tune of just under $900, I now have another pink piece of paper in my office thumb tacked to the board with a 25 digit serial key written on it.
AAAaaahhH!!!! I’m so freaking angry!!!!!!!!!!!
So “eat me” Adobe. I totally understand why people pirate software. Because software companies limit those who buy the program. If you steal software, they can’t take it away from you or tell you how many computers you can have it on. The company doesn’t look out for their loyal customers, they put huge limitations on what you buy and then force feed you another serial key.
So my advice to anyone interested in NLE (non-linear edit) programs, go with Sony Vegas. They are much more flexible on allowing you to use what you actually purchased.
One more time: “Eat me” Adobe. You’ve lost my loyalty and my business.