License / Registration key enabled software

[Steve Holden]

Ben Finney wrote:
> Mike Playle <usenet at vfx.org.uk> writes:
> 
> 
>>License keys exist to make it easier for honest users to remain
>>honest.
> 
> 
> What doubletalk. If usage restrictions were in *any* way what end users
> wanted, they'd choose software that has it over software that does
> not.
> 
> Usage restrictions serve *no* want of the end user.
> 
No, but usage reporting is very important to large organisations with 
enterprise copies of their applications. They want to stay in 
compliance, and it's notoriously hard to track usage.
> 
>>For instance a customer might want to buy a license to use your
>>software on up to 5 machines at once, but still have the software
>>installed on every machine in the company.
> 
> 
> This need is adequately served by not imposing usage restrictions. Any
> effective imposition of usage restrictions is hostile to the wants of
> the user.
> 
> If usage restrictions are brought into the picture, it is to serve the
> wants of someone else, *not* the end user. It is disingenuous to
> suggest otherwise.
> 
So you're suggesting that most people would rather be dishonest?

Otherwise you might as well say that any costs associated with using a 
piece of software (including purchase pricing) are "hostile to the wants 
of the user".
> 
>>License systems like FlexLM can work here, to make it easier for
>>them to ensure that they comply with the terms of the license.
> 
> 
> This is describing a want of the copyright holder, *not* the end user.
> 
I think your view is a little biased here.
> 
>>Forget about the people who'll crack your software. Ask yourself
>>whether a license key scheme offers anything to the people who won't
>>try to crack it. If it does, then actually implementing the scheme
>>becomes trivial; if it doesn't, then leave it out, because it won't
>>help against crackers.
> 
> 
> Very sound advice, I agree entirely.
> 
As do I. The sad thing is that the people most concerned about 
protection of intellectual property are often the ones whose IP is least 
likely to need protection.

regards
  Steve
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