It would be a shame if they improved themselves out of a job. Of course, the alternative could be worse, although I do not see how. At any rate, I hope they get it sorted out soon for those that rely on their services.

 
It's an extortion racket.
 
I wonder what they charge the software companies for the protection?
 
 

iLok is a PITA... but as someone who's DAW is constantly changing (not the norm I know), it's also a PITA dealing with limited "authorizations" via challenge/response.
I don't even have Ampeg SVX installed right now... because I'm out of authorizations.  
Yes, I can call and beg for the authorizations to be reset, but that's also a PITA.
I like my IKMM products (don't get me wrong) but when I called to order the CS Grand Update, I was told my authorizations (for previous TRacks singles) wouldn't be reset.
Which is worse?

Well that is a false dilemma. Not a big fan of the IK solution either. Certainly there are alternatives to those two method. I can imagine at least two.

Well... sure... there are always options.   
But there are certain plugins that I want to use that are fundamental for me (LA-2A, Pultec, 1176, IK's Peak-Limiter, Melodyne, SSL Bundle, Phoenix Verb, etc).
In my scenario (which I realize is not common), the iLok ends up being easier to deal with (PITA and all) than many challenge/response schemes.  
On the flip-side, Spectrasonics challange/response has been pretty easy to deal with...
 

Jim, you mean IK won't let you use products you've bought and paid for?  Isn't that some kind of breach of agreement?  How can they get away with that?  Absurd! 
 
Last time I upgraded my DAW (new CPU), the easiest non-iLok plugins for me to get back up and running (of those with copy protection) were the ones from NI.  I find their system to be very easy.  Waves weren't too bad either, but their scheme isn't exactly simple or bulletproof.
 
As of now, today's iLok debacle is not yet resolved.  Hopefully the fine folks at Softube will consider adopting the copy-protection scheme used by their friends at NI.
 
Cheers,
Eddie
 
 
 

Yup...everything new is old again...I just went home for lunch and tried to activate my three new plugs.  The slick new license manager was just as slow and sketchy as the old site in logging on and even more cryptic in how to activate the now available plugs.  Plus, at the very end of activating the second of the three... the server went down again.  Luckily I checked in Sonar and both plugs were actually activated.  But now I have to wait until I think the server is rock solid before activating the CL1-B...that's the one I really wanted.  It's truly worrisome.

 
sheeez, I just flick the "on" switch on my CL1-B.
 
It just started sounding better too. ;-)

Eddie TX
Jim, you mean IK won't let you use products you've bought and paid for?  Isn't that some kind of breach of agreement?  How can they get away with that?  Absurd! 
 
Last time I upgraded my DAW (new CPU), the easiest non-iLok plugins for me to get back up and running (of those with copy protection) were the ones from NI.  I find their system to be very easy.  Waves weren't too bad either, but their scheme isn't exactly simple or bulletproof.

 
Hi Eddie,
 
To be fair, if I call IK... I'm sure I can get the issue resolved.
For me, I guess it comes down to, "Which of the two is less of a PITA?"   
 
You are absolutely right about the NI activation.
Decided to spring for the Komplete 9 Ultimate upgrade over the weekend.
Though not cheap, there's a lot of useful content in the upgrade.
Looking forward to checking out the Reverb/Dynamics/EQ (algorithms from Softube).

I think I got lucky somehow- all my iLok licenses are working- including ones that other people on Gearslutz are having problems with, Slate, Sonnox, Melodyne