Software Licensing Best Practices

There are four main types of Software licenses, and this is my preference order:

1. Cloud sign-in
2. License File
3. Locked to a device (like a dongle)
4. Locked to a computer
   

Additionally, some software is one-and-done, and you have to pay for any upgrade. Other software is subscription based. Other software you can buy a version and get upgrades for free for a while (typically a year) and then pay for an upgrade later when you want/need. 

It is good practice to always name your computer and restart it before you license any software. When you license software, it ican be dependent on the computer name and renaming after licensing can cause some havoc. On Mac computers, the name is in the Sharing preference pane, on Windows, just hit the start menu and type “computer name.”

License Models Per Software

The list below is an attempt to classify these things so you don’t accidentally lock software to a device by accident. This has happened to me when I’ve made the assumption that a program is cloud, when in-fact, it is locked to a computer. 

Adobe is registered locally but can be unregistered locally or via their website or other machine. Each license gives you 2 seats that you can use simultaneously. 

Ableton Live is registered locally but can be unregistered locally or via their website.

I think it’s 2 seats but I’m not really sure. I’ve never gotten a “too many seats” warning though (as of Ableton 10)

Disguise Designer is locked to a computer or locked to a dongle. Dongles cost a little bit of money but they often give them out for free. I have two or three lying around. 

DVS (Dante Virtual Soundcard) is locked forever on a computer hardware. It’s only $50 though. 1 license / 1 seat.

Madmapper needs to be registered and unregistered on the computer locally. Don’t wipe computers with a mad license or you’ll be begging support@garagecube.com for help. Each license gives you 2 seats that you can use simultaneously. Don’t be like me! Remember to remove licenses off show machines before they disappear into the black holes that some companies consider storage. I have a 4-channel media server with a bonus FX4 and a $400 monitor, left in the tile ceiling of the CDMX airport. Never getting that back 🙃

Maxon One is registered locally but can be unregistered locally or via their website or other machine. Each license gives you 1 seat. 

QLab is registered locally but can be unregistered locally or via their website. 

• V4 Each license gives you 3 seats that you can use simultaneously. 
  
• V5 Each license gives you 2 seats that you can use simultaneously.
  

Vectorworks is registered locally but can be unregistered locally or via their website or other machine. Each license gives you 1 seat.