Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

BobF
Damned if they do, damned if they don't.

While on the subject - I bought the CW MP3 Encoder a few years back, now I can't even find it in my PC. 
Can somebody steer me in the right direction? 

Zargg

Soundwise
Great news! Although it's long overdue to switch to OGG and/or FLAC.

I've used FLAC for a year or so, and Am much happier with it, compared to MP3.

haha tell THAT to the app developers

Will it just now work in the latest update or do we have to do something? 
 
I've always just been cheap and use the batch converter in Gold Wave. I wonder if Wave Lab will also activate the encoder? And Flac does not work on many players like my car stereo and USB flash drive systems etc. 

Zargg

Soundwise
Great news! Although it's long overdue to switch to OGG and/or FLAC.

I've used FLAC for a year or so, and Am much happier with it, compared to MP3.

Cactus Music
 
And Flac does not work on many players like my car stereo and USB flash drive systems etc. 

 
 
 
and isn't flac lossless, and therefor more comparable to a .wav than an mp3 which is 'lossy'

bwbalint
I just paid the $10 for the Cakewalk Sonar MP3 encoder just over a week ago.  I received an email today saying that my money will be refunded.  Yea!  The email did not say how far back they will be going to refund monies paid for this.  

This information was literally available to us a week ago and the patent expiration was this week. We can't refund earlier payments for this since we're still due to pay the licensing fees upto this week.

Maybe Neil Young bought up rights to FLAC for his PONO player

How do you activate the new encoder?
 

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
[This information was literally available to us a week ago and the patent expiration was this week. We can't refund earlier payments for this since we're still due to pay the licensing fees upto this week.

Noel,  here is the email I received.  It actually does specify a date of April 1, 2017:
"Hi Bart,

MP3 export is now available in SONAR Artist, Professional, and Platinum at no charge. Recently the patent royalties associated with MP3 encoding expired. Cakewalk is excited to offer MP3 encoding free of charge in SONAR.

OK so why are you emailing me about this? I already purchased an MP3 encoder or activator from Cakewalk.

We're writing to let you know that because you purchased the Cakewalk MP3 Encoder on or after April 1, 2017 your purchase is being refunded and you can keep it. Please enjoy unlimited MP3 exports!

Thank you for your continued support.

From Boston with <3,
Cakewalk"