#Dongle Protection
Hi, all! I wanted to get your opinion on the following:
Recently I received a hot new video-related program that's supposed to leave
everything else in the dust. Price is in the $600-$700 range.
When I opened the package, I found that it uses dongle protection. To operate
the program, you need to insert a hardware device into the computer's second
mouse port (an optional dongle is available for the parallel port — the
optional one will pass printer data through a passthrough connector).
I noticed on the company's warranty disclaimer the following:
[COMPANY NAME OMITTED] warrants the dongles from manufacturing
defects for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of pur-
chase. Should the dongle fail in the course of normal use
within this 30 day period, and it is returned to the dealer
from whom the program was purchased not later than five (5)
days after the end of such 30 day period, the dealer shall, at
the dealer's option, either repair or replace the dongle.
[COMPANY]'s liability is limited solely to repair or replace-
ment of the defective product and shall not in any event in-
clude damages for loss of use or loss of anticipated costs,
expenses or damages, including without limitation any data
which may be lost or rendered inaccurate, even if [COMPANY]
has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
I was wondering how popular opinions currently run as to the use of copy
protection in general, and hardware protection in particular, on professional
application software.
All replies will be sent to the manufacturer of the product. Please excuse me
for not embarrassing them by using their name, but my purpose is to educate
them, not blindside them. Hope you understand.
Any responses, on either side of the issue, greatly appreciated.
Pete