Piracy sucks... copy protection schemes are inconvenient but over inflated horror stories abound. I currently have had the same issue as the OP trying to deal with Sample Logic/NI registration failure on a piece of legitimately purchased software. Neither has responded and the music store is trying where I've failed. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.... I could sit here and moan and grone about the NI system but the real problem is:
MOST BIG CORPORATIONS SUCK AND DON'T GIVE A DAMN! INDIVIDUALS DON'T MATTER
Aside from Ilok's old crappy software, which is very different and good now... I have had no problems and have a raft of Ilok licenses...I'm careful with my dongle, which is probably as sturdy as my hard drive where other licenses are stored on...
People steal and the software I desire requires investment of time and money to create...and copy protection is the price we pay for being in this stupid "capitalistic" system, until it drives us over the climate cliff... then, all your wining won't really matter...
At some point my issue will be resolved. As will yours... Looks like you got a pretty good setup, by your avatar... and plenty to keep you goin'...However, YOUR mentality of feeling justified wanting to "crack" the software because of something having nothing to do with the developers...is exactly why various copy protection schemes are used.
Bandaids can hurt...but they're meant to stop the bleeding and I want developers alive!
As for Cakewalk, I personally think they should improve their system. It is totally pirateable and costing them money, I am quite sure. Until my dream of a different world arrives, this is just sound business sense. X3 is fantastic and as more people realize this, more jerks will pirate it. I am relatively poor but always find a way to cut crap out of my life to support others by "buying" their products; many others operate differently...
post edited by Vastman - 2014/03/17 04:39:18