I'm about to move my studio out of my bedroom into a real project studio in order to gain a real workspace. This move has made me realize a not so pleasent fact about my equipment.
Since the Creamware soundcards acts as hardware/software protection, my software can be stolen, just as my hardware synth can be stolen. The really sad part about it is that my insurance company will gladly insure my hardware synth, but not my hardware dependant software (Creamware, Cubase, VSL plugs etc).
How do you guys handle this situation?
How to insure your hardware-secured software from theft?
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hubird
I just spoke with the insurance company who has a specialized music instrument insurance. They wouldn't touch the software-issue for some reason. My guess is they simply don't understand the concept of hardware-keys to software. But never the less, I stand to loose a considerable amount of money if my studio is stolen. All my hardware they will insure, but not the software.
Damnit, I've had nothing but trouble since I adapted to the world around me and entered the business of becomming a musician focussing on using modern digital equipment. Grrrrrr.....
I had to leave the musicians guild in order to take on workassignments and get paid.
And now I can't get my "instruments" insured.
Damnit, I've had nothing but trouble since I adapted to the world around me and entered the business of becomming a musician focussing on using modern digital equipment. Grrrrrr.....
I had to leave the musicians guild in order to take on workassignments and get paid.
And now I can't get my "instruments" insured.
it is correct that a potential thieve cannot be stopped from using the software 'as is', but on the other hand any contacts to CWA (or their site) can be tracked.
I assume that it will be no problem to re-register the devices to a different board id, even the fee is neglectable under such circumstances.
I also assume that they have a 'blacklist' of stolen card ids - in fact that was (or is) a true concern for me whenever I purchase something on eBay, that Ralf might respond with that type of news... according to the German legal system you cannot become the owner of a stolen good - you have to return it and the cash is... well, down the drain..
cheers, Tom
I assume that it will be no problem to re-register the devices to a different board id, even the fee is neglectable under such circumstances.
I also assume that they have a 'blacklist' of stolen card ids - in fact that was (or is) a true concern for me whenever I purchase something on eBay, that Ralf might respond with that type of news... according to the German legal system you cannot become the owner of a stolen good - you have to return it and the cash is... well, down the drain..
cheers, Tom
Yes I know there is a firm believe at this forum that Creamware is hardware, nevertheless there's software involved, software I have to pay for to gain access to, and software that keeps changing the value of my Creamware setup. Problematic examples is plugins like BX Digital and Flexor, which I, no matter how I look at it, can't look upon like Hardware.
And Astroman, yes I could bring the dongle back and forth from my studio, but this introduces a few problems I would like to avoid, like forgetting it or even worse, loosing it - It surely wouldn't be the first "key" to get lost, and this particular key is worth about €1500 at the moment to me.
How do you like to walk around with €1500 in you pocket?
And last, this "solution" you suggest will still not insure my business investment, which is a risk that could put me "out" of business if I'm unlucky.
One thing is for sure, I'm not walking down this "uninsured" path twice - If my studio is stolen at some point, all software that relies on dongles wont enter my studio again.
I've posted the same question on Cubase.net, and it seems like I'm far from the only one who looks upon the dongle-solution as a problem. Don't get me wrong, I understand that companies like Creamware and Steinberg, needs to protect their software against piracy, my point is simply, that they forgot to enter the enduser (me and you) into that equation.
Thomas
And Astroman, yes I could bring the dongle back and forth from my studio, but this introduces a few problems I would like to avoid, like forgetting it or even worse, loosing it - It surely wouldn't be the first "key" to get lost, and this particular key is worth about €1500 at the moment to me.
How do you like to walk around with €1500 in you pocket?
And last, this "solution" you suggest will still not insure my business investment, which is a risk that could put me "out" of business if I'm unlucky.
One thing is for sure, I'm not walking down this "uninsured" path twice - If my studio is stolen at some point, all software that relies on dongles wont enter my studio again.
I've posted the same question on Cubase.net, and it seems like I'm far from the only one who looks upon the dongle-solution as a problem. Don't get me wrong, I understand that companies like Creamware and Steinberg, needs to protect their software against piracy, my point is simply, that they forgot to enter the enduser (me and you) into that equation.
Thomas
well Petal, I really wouldn't expect you (or anyone) to carry an usb lock around constantly... 
just put it in a safe place away from the workstation - people who are stupid enough to steal computers will (definetely) not look for the device.
So that for the 'expensive' software and the 50 Euro re-registration for the CWA devices.
don't even think that you can make any insurance deal in that price range
they always win - for they have statistics on their side, they will fool you and they will cheat you.
It may be different in Denmark, but here you're usually either under- or overinsured.
In both cases the company will reduce it's service accordingly - either because you didn't pay enough or you're supposed to cheat when paying too high (simplyfied)
for that reason consult a lawyer, seriously, (if your gear adds up to a significant amount of monetary value)
it does not matter how important the gear is for you (for making your living) - that type of risk isn't insurable at all, at least not for a fee in a range that makes sense to you...
cheers, Tom
just put it in a safe place away from the workstation - people who are stupid enough to steal computers will (definetely) not look for the device.
So that for the 'expensive' software and the 50 Euro re-registration for the CWA devices.
don't even think that you can make any insurance deal in that price range
they always win - for they have statistics on their side, they will fool you and they will cheat you.
It may be different in Denmark, but here you're usually either under- or overinsured.
In both cases the company will reduce it's service accordingly - either because you didn't pay enough or you're supposed to cheat when paying too high (simplyfied)
for that reason consult a lawyer, seriously, (if your gear adds up to a significant amount of monetary value)
it does not matter how important the gear is for you (for making your living) - that type of risk isn't insurable at all, at least not for a fee in a range that makes sense to you...
cheers, Tom
No, I don't plan to walk around with the key in my pocket all the time, but the solution you suggest does involve a daily routine where I have to move the key. My problem with this is that at some point it's bound to go wrong, as it often does with other keys etc.. thats what I want to avoid - It's a matter of convenience and knowing my own weaknesses as a human being - maybe not a big problem to all.
About the scope plugins, of which I know you have many that does not come bundled with any Creamware cards. Do you seriously think that creamware and developers like John Bowen, are willing to just transfer keys from yours or any other users stolen cards - I mean the codes are still out there, and it was you who lost them, not Creamware or John?
I fail to understand why you don't see a problem in this situation.
About the scope plugins, of which I know you have many that does not come bundled with any Creamware cards. Do you seriously think that creamware and developers like John Bowen, are willing to just transfer keys from yours or any other users stolen cards - I mean the codes are still out there, and it was you who lost them, not Creamware or John?
I fail to understand why you don't see a problem in this situation.
I DO see a problem of course, but one cannot have all, usually
and that type of (security) questions isn't totally unfamiliar to me, dealing with company assets on storage that represent > 1 million Euro.
Literally one big disk in your left pocket and another one in your right, you could walk out of the building with that stuff.
You have to develope your strategy dealing with the situation - in case of John Bowen or CWA you could just ask them.
Yet I'm absolutely convinced that no insurance company will help you for an affordable amount, but that just my personal conviction.
Other than that the best method is to camouflage as good as it gets
cheers, Tom
and that type of (security) questions isn't totally unfamiliar to me, dealing with company assets on storage that represent > 1 million Euro.
Literally one big disk in your left pocket and another one in your right, you could walk out of the building with that stuff.
You have to develope your strategy dealing with the situation - in case of John Bowen or CWA you could just ask them.
Yet I'm absolutely convinced that no insurance company will help you for an affordable amount, but that just my personal conviction.
Other than that the best method is to camouflage as good as it gets
cheers, Tom