Dear Escapist Readers,
I want to know how DRM has affected YOU!
Personally it has actually affected my use of certain software.
I scrimped and saved to buy a copy of "Application X". I think the main problem was with the Vista compatibility. It wasn't their software but the copy protection that caused the problem.
Anyway, the licence key would often become corrupt or I would re-install windows and have to get a new key. This was all fine despite the fact I often had to wait 24 hours for the key.
However, after a certain number of times they rejected my original reference key that assigned licence keys to me. It said I had used it too many times.
I was frustrated to say the least. Their responses kept telling me to just register online, but that registration always failed becuase of the reference key. My other option was to phone the US but personally, I don't think I should have to spend extra money just to get software to work that I had already paid for.
In the end I sent a complaint letter see below:
I never actually even got a name of who was dealing with any of it. By the end of what I considered to be very unprofessional handling of my case on their end they didn't even address me by name in their emails. BLAH
Following that we mediated through the reseller. They chose to give me a refund for the software. I said that ideally I just wanted a working copy. Well, I got my refund and that was that.
To me this is just one example of how DRM negatively affected a legitimate consumer.
NOTE: I've removed the name of the software because I don't want to make this personal and I actually think that the software is good.
I want to know how DRM has affected YOU!
Personally it has actually affected my use of certain software.
I scrimped and saved to buy a copy of "Application X". I think the main problem was with the Vista compatibility. It wasn't their software but the copy protection that caused the problem.
Anyway, the licence key would often become corrupt or I would re-install windows and have to get a new key. This was all fine despite the fact I often had to wait 24 hours for the key.
However, after a certain number of times they rejected my original reference key that assigned licence keys to me. It said I had used it too many times.
I was frustrated to say the least. Their responses kept telling me to just register online, but that registration always failed becuase of the reference key. My other option was to phone the US but personally, I don't think I should have to spend extra money just to get software to work that I had already paid for.
In the end I sent a complaint letter see below:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I feel I have been very patient with your company given the fact that your copy protection is essentially broken. I have legally and legitmately bought a copy of "APPLICATION X". I have in fact just contacted them to complain about the lack of functionality of your software. See in the UK we have consumer rights, if you sell someone something it has to function as described.
For some reason your software is so poorly written that it constantly generates new errors. I have had to put up with licence file corruptions, submitting dxdiag files to you, slow response times from your team and you now appear to be completely ignoring me.
This simply will not do.
I am at a bit of a loss with what to do. Firstly, your copy protection nonsence is simple unacceptable, you say that should I need a new licence I should have to contact you. Not only is this ineffective it essentially goes against the EULA. See if you company were to go into liquidation there would be no one for me to get a new licence from yet the EULA does not state that my use of the software is time limited. I know you are probably going to claim that the software is provided 'AS IS' but I'm afraid while that may work in the US the argument doesn't hold water in the UK.
May I remind you to read the licence agreement. I am not permitted to share lend,.. blah blah blah the software. I actually dont do this as a matter of principle, hence I actually bought the software. Ergo, inserting copy protection is somewhat of a breach of trust between me, consumer and you, the company. Ironically I'm sure an illegal copy of the software would actually be more functional.
So may I suggest the following:
Either
1) Supply me with a full refund for the software (Perhaps I could go and buy "APPLICATION Y" instead).
2) Supply me with a new download link of "APPLICATION X" that requires no licence.
3) Supply me with a new download link for another copy of "APPLICATION X"
4) Perhaps most simply, provide me with a working licence key.
[Removed]
Well, thankyou for your time, I hope you manage to deal with my case within a timely fashion.
Regards,
I feel I have been very patient with your company given the fact that your copy protection is essentially broken. I have legally and legitmately bought a copy of "APPLICATION X". I have in fact just contacted them to complain about the lack of functionality of your software. See in the UK we have consumer rights, if you sell someone something it has to function as described.
For some reason your software is so poorly written that it constantly generates new errors. I have had to put up with licence file corruptions, submitting dxdiag files to you, slow response times from your team and you now appear to be completely ignoring me.
This simply will not do.
I am at a bit of a loss with what to do. Firstly, your copy protection nonsence is simple unacceptable, you say that should I need a new licence I should have to contact you. Not only is this ineffective it essentially goes against the EULA. See if you company were to go into liquidation there would be no one for me to get a new licence from yet the EULA does not state that my use of the software is time limited. I know you are probably going to claim that the software is provided 'AS IS' but I'm afraid while that may work in the US the argument doesn't hold water in the UK.
May I remind you to read the licence agreement. I am not permitted to share lend,.. blah blah blah the software. I actually dont do this as a matter of principle, hence I actually bought the software. Ergo, inserting copy protection is somewhat of a breach of trust between me, consumer and you, the company. Ironically I'm sure an illegal copy of the software would actually be more functional.
So may I suggest the following:
Either
1) Supply me with a full refund for the software (Perhaps I could go and buy "APPLICATION Y" instead).
2) Supply me with a new download link of "APPLICATION X" that requires no licence.
3) Supply me with a new download link for another copy of "APPLICATION X"
4) Perhaps most simply, provide me with a working licence key.
[Removed]
Well, thankyou for your time, I hope you manage to deal with my case within a timely fashion.
Regards,
I never actually even got a name of who was dealing with any of it. By the end of what I considered to be very unprofessional handling of my case on their end they didn't even address me by name in their emails. BLAH
Following that we mediated through the reseller. They chose to give me a refund for the software. I said that ideally I just wanted a working copy. Well, I got my refund and that was that.
To me this is just one example of how DRM negatively affected a legitimate consumer.
NOTE: I've removed the name of the software because I don't want to make this personal and I actually think that the software is good.