| One would hope that Waves has read this thread. They probably haven't or have and don't care.
Good customer service would address the issues raised here, and there have been a lot of them.
Waves has had good marketing, and has captured a large market share because of it. ProTools has done the same, as in the marketing/share aspect. Is ProTools a good program, it sure is, but why is it that most pro studios use it? Good program + good marketing, is why. That, coupled with the fact it was a Mac program (used to be Mac were safe because of lack of viruses out there).
But when it comes down to it, you are still just converting and recording 1's and 0's. Most DAW's out there are pretty successful at this. I don't want this to be a ProTools thread, I have just used them as an example.
Like I said, Waves was able to gain a significant foothold on the plug-in market with the proper marketing. But by alienating their customer base with added fees and poor customer support, it will hurt them in the long run. The only way to really send a message to this or any company with a policy you disagree with is with your money. You disagree with the way they do something, don't buy it and don't use it. And whatever you do, don't steal it. Because all that does is show them that even though you do not like their business practices, it is not enough of a dis-incentive for you to still desire/use their product. With that kind of a user-base thinking, Waves has no reason to change and they can just go after you to make up any lost revenue due to lower sales. They might even make more than if you had bought it legit.
But going after theft, by using any legitimate method available, is acceptable. |