Another misstep by Gibson. Any organization that isn't notifying all their retailers immediately in this circumstance is showing lack of concern for others. Embarrassing is the word I'd use.

Frank-US

mudgel
My USB dongle for Cubase arrived this afternoon and it all went without a hitch. I'm now an activated Cubase user.

As I have mentioned in a another thread, I could not answer your PM since I'm allowed by the system yet.
My answer would have been what you have experienced - don't expect big problems 

Dear Frank. Are you a Steinberg rep? Would you be so kind to clarify the following situations/concerns for all of us that want to move to Cubase but are outside of the US:

My local distributor is not aware of this special and not even have Cubase 9. So I need and want to purchase it online. My concern is regarding activation of geo-tagged software, support and updates.

SCENARIOS

SCENARIO 1
I go on vacation to US. Purchase the Cubase crossgrade download from Sweetwater. Activate the product while I'm in the US and then go back to my country.

1.a) is that legal from Steinberg's point of view? Am I a legit user from Steinberg's point of view?

1.b) will I receive support from Steinberg.net?

1.c) will I be able to legally receive updates as well as purchase future upgrades?

SCENARIO 2
I go to the US on vacation and buy a BOXED product of Cubase. If I go back to my country and try to activate it, it won'twork because all boxed Cubase sold in the US are geo-tagged to be used only in the US?

SCENARIO 3
If I purchase a boxed version of Cubase from ANY store other than the local distributor for my country, it will never work?

SCENARIO 4
If in any way I am lucky to get the Crossgrade download and I get the famous message "The activation code you entered was intended for use within the USA and you seem to be located outside the USA. While you can still proceed to activate the license, you might not receive any official technical customer support or updates in case you are located outside the USA as this version may be a Gray import." And proceed to activate it.

4.a) is that legal from Steinberg's point of view? Am I a legit user from Steinberg's point of view?

4.b) will I receive support from Steinberg.net?

4.c) will I be able to legally receive updates as well as purchase future upgrades?

Thank you in advance!

LMG

Dear Frank. Are you a Steinberg rep? Would you be so kind to clarify the following situations/concerns for all of us that want to move to Cubase but are outside of the US:

My local distributor is not aware of this special and not even have Cubase 9. So I need and want to purchase it online. My concern is regarding activation of geo-tagged software, support and updates.

LMG, your profile doesn't mention where you're from, but if you are from Canada like I am, and looking for the Cubase upgrade cost: I've made local inquiries with some Canadian stores who have all said they will get back to me about it, and Frank (who certainly sounds like a Cubase rep) has mentioned that access to the product in Canada will be made possible - if it isn't already. 
 
I hadn't planned on even considering Cubase, but after trying the Essentials demo -- and being pretty impressed with it -- I'm actual entertaining the idea of bringing Cubase on as my back-up / eventual main tool.
 
Update: the guy from my local store just called me back, said their Steinberg rep told him that something is being worked out in Canada, and they'd have more information by the end of next week. 

Amicus717

LMG

Dear Frank. Are you a Steinberg rep? Would you be so kind to clarify the following situations/concerns for all of us that want to move to Cubase but are outside of the US:

My local distributor is not aware of this special and not even have Cubase 9. So I need and want to purchase it online. My concern is regarding activation of geo-tagged software, support and updates.

LMG, your profile doesn't mention where you're from, but if you are from Canada like I am, and looking for the Cubase upgrade cost: I've made local inquiries with some Canadian stores who have all said they will get back to me about it, and Frank (who certainly sounds like a Cubase rep) has mentioned that access to the product in Canada will be made possible - if it isn't already. 
 
I hadn't planned on even considering Cubase, but after trying the Essentials demo -- and being pretty impressed with it -- I'm actual entertaining the idea of bringing Cubase on as my back-up / eventual main tool.
 
Update: the guy from my local store just called me back, said their Steinberg rep told him that something is being worked out in Canada, and they'd have more information by the end of next week. 

Hey! Thanks for your input. Actually, I'm from Argentina. But same situation as yours as well as everyone who tried to place the order through Sweetwater and it was declined (except for our aussie friend Mudgel who somehow made it through). Let's see what information Frank can give us.

Genuinely appreciate that, Frank. 

i just purchased the crossgrade deal of sweetwather and got this mail.
 

Hi A˜yvind,

We are so sorry for the delay in delivering your software... While most software orders process immediately, something about your order did not verify correctly. This can usually be resolved quickly during business hours. We have assigned someone to investigate and personally see your order through the system. We'll contact you as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!

Your friends at Sweetwater.

 
Do i need to document my Sonar or something?

Thanks for your update Teclark7!
 
For those playing along internationally, I've got onto a retailer here in Australia who is following up with Yamaha.  The advice was they are still in the process of organising pricing.
 
So that at least sounds promising, at least something is in the works (and matches up with Frank's notes above).  Thanks also Frank for joining Steinberg back into this thread, the more detailed information is appreciated.
 
I'm not in a massive rush except just don't want to miss out completely, but more to set myself up to start learning an alternative for the future, and given my key interest is better notation Cubase seems an ideal way to go.  So for now I'll wait and see what gets sorted out, I'm kind of nervous about the same questions LMG raises, if I end up with a US copy/serial, will it make life harder when trying to update from 9.5 to 10 eventually, etc.
 
Rob

Jarsve
i just purchased the crossgrade deal of sweetwather and got this mail.
 

Hi A˜yvind,

We are so sorry for the delay in delivering your software... While most software orders process immediately, something about your order did not verify correctly. This can usually be resolved quickly during business hours. We have assigned someone to investigate and personally see your order through the system. We'll contact you as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!

Your friends at Sweetwater.

 
Do i need to document my Sonar or something?

Well, that's the message we all got before getting our orders declined. You might be lucky, though. Keep us posted.

Will we ever get a cross grade lisence in Europe and other non US places?

Jarsve
Will we ever get a cross grade licence in Europe and other non US places?

I purchased my crossgrade in Europe (UK) direct from Steinberg. It was shipped from Germany. The issues appear to occur outside of Europe or the USA.

Before I retired I encountered (non music) software companies that imposed geographically limited licensing, this was a right pain as our business was very mobile and international.

Joe_A
Another misstep by Gibson. Any organization that isn't notifying all their retailers immediately in this circumstance is showing lack of concern for others. Embarrassing is the word I'd use.

To be fair, the notification could be sitting unread in an email box or a pile of unopened mail.

Frank-US
Hi everyone,
As mentioned we work on a solution for people that facing troubles to purchase the crossgrade offer. We plan to have everything ready by Wednesday.
From Wednesday on, everyone should be able, to buy the crossgrade directly from the Steinberg online shop.
I will come back here, the moment everything is up and running.
Best,
Frank

THAT'S GREAT NEWS !!!! That's what I call Customer Support! THANK YOU !!!

DrLumen

Joe_A
Another misstep by Gibson. Any organization that isn't notifying all their retailers immediately in this circumstance is showing lack of concern for others. Embarrassing is the word I'd use.

To be fair, the notification could be sitting unread in an email box or a pile of unopened mail.

IMHO a notification of this sort to retailers would be a series of communications over a period of time. Coordinating pre-Cake closing, through closing, what to do with any inventory, future goals, conveying "But Gibson is still strong etc etc" ( which may or may not be true). But more that just one email to one person at each Retailer.

LMG

Frank-US
Hi everyone,
As mentioned we work on a solution for people that facing troubles to purchase the crossgrade offer. We plan to have everything ready by Wednesday.
From Wednesday on, everyone should be able, to buy the crossgrade directly from the Steinberg online shop.
I will come back here, the moment everything is up and running.
Best,
Frank

And please, make it available as a DOWNLOAD option, not just the boxed version. It will make it easier both to customers and to Steinberg. THANK YOU!

Yes, it will be download.
 
Best,
Frank

Does Cubase have an equivalent Ripple Edit function?
 
Thanks for input!