Actually, methinks, and methinks perhaps wrongly, that if somebody was prepared to do the offline activation, that BEFORE they did that they gave the DOS command "DIR > print.txt" and made a record of all the files, file sizes, and date codes inside of the program, THEN did the same thing AFTER the activation ... we would know which file or files were changed by the activation process.  I'd bet it would turn out to be a single dll.  That dll would have to reference the expected mainboard ID and return a Yes/No back to the program as to whether it matched, or didn't, i.e., remain in demo or "authorize" to "owned" mode.  So all Gibson-cake would have to do is give us a dll that always returned a True.  I don't understand why they are not doing that!!

Cactus Music
 
So the way Sonar is built right now there is possibly no back door to the unlocking. They will actually have to release one last version that has the currant copy protection changed to the old style 2 number system like X3 and back used. 

A week ago, I would probably have to disagree with you but the more I think about it, the more I think you may be right.
A one time installer that would only change the authorization process to the old Challenge/Response registration.
Possibly even a patch for Command center ? Though that would bother me a bit because I have never trusted command center, I have used it and been happy with its results but I have never, ever fully trusted it.
 
Greg also brings up a good point about a .DLL that could be used. almost the same way the import authorization works now, only minus the Mobo info. Im just not sure if it is possible.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if Cakewalk is researching the pirated Sonar versions and how they did it.
Some of those groups, (as illegal and wrong) are still very smart people. Think about the way they reverse engineer ?
They are smart. those are people who could make a lot of money coding a great DAW.
 

I am over the uncertainty. I have been using Cakewalk/Sonar for close to 25 years as a professional musician. I need to be able to rely 100% on my DAW and not have to check forums to see if it will be working today. I have tried the demo of Studio One and, while it does not have the depth of Sonar and is missing some elements I am used to having, I know that it will be working tomorrow and will still be supported.
Sonar is (was) the best DAW I have ever used. But, if I can't rely on it, regardless of how good it is, that gives me pause to believe it is time to move on.   

Been runnin Cakewlk MC7 since 2016, afore that CW5..Being an ol' timer and more used to analogue (Tape recorders) I've never been that good with computers so don't use my set-up that often.  But about a week ago  I was puttin' down a few tracks and went to SAVE and saw a small sign which said 'Can't save' but even then I did'nt realise the significance and hit SAVE and sure enough, it did,nt save, so all was lost!   It was then I noticed in the bottom right screen corner another message which said 'Demo mode' and even the I still did'nt  undedrstand what was goin' on until I checked out Cakewalk site and found out about Gibson takeover then the sell-out to this BandLab set-up!
But what to do. I could'nt understand how a 'takeover'  could cause systems to freeze or be 'locked-in to Demo Mode'
makin' programs useless until it was explained by a much knowledgeable and computer literate guy about Servers and Activation, even then I still did'nt understand much of it, but the good news was, he fixed it.  Don't ask me what he did, I have no idea but he did say that it could happed again if the Servers were 'closed down' or something along those lines!    When I was tryin' to find out what had happend I did notice that hardly anybody mentioned Cakewalk Music Creator7, and the DEMO MODE problem; seemed most folk using SONAR.  Used to run a Tascam MSR 24 T/R but it started to go wrong and no one fix to them, but happy days!
Mike Chilvers
 

All you need to do is run the Cakewalk Command Center and log in.
 
This should re-authorise MC7.
 
M.

It is my understanding (potentially flawed understanding) that my Sonar software isn't putting out feelers through the internet connection on its own.  Secondly, if I never click on Command Center, then everything that I currently have will still function in the "owned" state.  I'm thinking that the only time I should click on Command Center will be the day my military-grade motherboard dies, i.e., I should NEVER click on Command Center.

I am so confused now.  I have SPLAT - did the lifetime updates thing as soon as it was offered.  So it has the infinity symbol on it. 
I use it on one PC.  Next year, I plan to upgrade my PC and purchase a new one and the plan is to have SPLAT on that new PC. 
I already signed up for BandLab months before they purchased the Cakewalk assets - and I used the same email address I used for Cakewalk.  I got the email that said if I already have an existing BandLab account with the same email address I used with Cakewalk then I do not have to do anything - so I have done nothing.  I have used BandLab to collaborate with members of my current project - it's ok - I don't really have an opinion on it good or bad.  But for production, mixing, and mastering, I really want to be able to continue using SPLAT - I find the interface is easy to use. 
1.  Do I need to do anything special for when I purchase a new PC so that I can install and use SPLAT on it?
Please dumb it down for me because I am not a guru on the computer side of things.  Do I need to do this offline activation thing on my current PC?  I purchased SPLAT at a Guitar Center over 2 years ago and used the serial number from it to originally activate it.  I have used the Command Center to do updates since then.  Is there anything I really need to do other than wait to see how BandLab gets everything set up? 
 
2.  I could not find anything on BandLab that specifically addresses the lifetime updates and costs - I assume that will no longer exist and Sonar users will be forced back to subscription payment plan. 
 
 -Confused in Indiana but hopeful TDFKAS will continue to be as user friendly as SPLAT. 
 
  
 

1.  As of today nothing has changed.  You can build a new PC, install and authorise your software exactly as you always have done.
As for next year (when you plan a new PC) nobody here can see into the future to say what software security BandLab will go with...   One thing they HAVE said though, is that all current users will continue to be able to install and use anything they already own.
 
2.  BandLab bought the software, they did not buy the company. Your "lifetime updates" contract was with Cakewalk Inc. which has come to the end of its life...