Omnisphere's licence policy?

[mikefennel]

ive been in the business for over 26 years and this is the first time i came across this policy.

i lost my omnisphere box and kindly asked for replacement discs. lee from spectrasonics ask me a strange question. "who is using your software?"
i had no idea as a studio manager and engineer / producer why he would ask. i found that he was tricking me to expose that every writer that comes to our studio may use our computer, record in pro tools and possibly "God forbid" use omnisphere to lay down a synth track. well according to lee this is forbidden.
no one is to use the software which is on a single computer in our studio except for myself. this is ridicules. if every software company had this policy no one would get anything done. here is the policy word for word:

Spectrasonics - Knowledgebase

As a studio owner, am I allowed to include Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments on a rental or studio computer for studio clients to use on their projects?
No. The standard license to use Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments is only granted to the buyer. We have a "single-user/multiple-computer" lifetime license policy. If it is your own recording project that you are producing, of course that isn't a problem. However, your studio clients aren't licensed to use them for their own projects and the use of Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments cannot be "rented." In the case where a client has his own license for a Spectrasonics Virtual Instrument, that client is welcome to use the studio's installed copy of the instrument.

so even though im a registered user of the product lee from spectrasonic refuses to replace my discs in light of my telling that writers may use pro tools and might like to lay down a synth track using omnisphere.

so i ask you, is this policy good for our industry and does it make you want to buy their products?
i think not...
what do you say?

[DaveE]

Thanks for posting this. That's good to know since Omnisphere has been on my wish list for a while. Looks like I'd be safe since nobody else freelances here, but for a typical studio environment that policy is a bit over-reaching and short-sighted IMO. Great way to get people to stop sharing word of mouth about their product. I mean, why bother telling freelance engineers about it if they're not supposed to use it. "Feel free, to use any of the studio's amps, guitars, synths, plugins, oh but you can't use Omnisphere..."

[mikefennel]

just remember this applies to all spectrasonics software...that means stylus rmx, trilian, all of it....just to add salt to my wounds they deactivated my lic. so even if i find my discs i cant ever use them under my name.... basically im band from using thier software...considering i work for the worlds largest publishing company, i would say they may loose on publicity, or maybe gain on the negative....our writers will most likely ask "why cant i use omni? i used it here last week" ....lol. i could really care less. i dont write the songs i just record them and im more than happy to buy kontact or any one of other companies that have a reasonable lic agreement....

[Dz7]

Yikes, that's scary stuff! Thanks for the heads up!

[s_sibs]

You will find that most, if not all companies that sell samples libraries have similar license agreements. Including Native Instruments. They are single user agreements and are unlike hardware guitars, amps, etc. in that you are licensed the use of the samples as the license holder and they can't be 'rented' out to others.

[Dean Roddey]

You always have to consider the unintended consequences of policy. It's a tricky business and you can get whacked no matter what policy you come up with. As mentioned in the previous post, if you can 'rent' it to people in your studio, then they open themselves up to having to defend why someone can't share it out to other people not in their own studio. Why can't they put it on their server and let people access it, etc... That may sound like the 'slipper slope' argument, but in the legal world that counts.

Seems to me they should consider a 'pro studio' license type of thing, which maybe costs more but comes with the express to permission to have it tied to a studio as long as it's never in use by more than one computer at a time or something.

[voorhee]

And software companies cry about piracy ... wonder why lol

Sent from my T-Mobile myTouch 3G using Gearslutz.com

[Dean Roddey]

Originally Posted by voorhee

And software companies cry about piracy ... wonder why lol

Actually, I'd argue that it's more because of piracy that they tend to have these sorts of policies. Given this policy, how exactly would piracy be any sort of 'solution'?

[Nahuel]

Originally Posted by Dean Roddey

Actually, I'd argue that it's more because of piracy that they tend to have these sorts of policies. Given this policy, how exactly would piracy be any sort of 'solution'?

Nah that's greed, it's a greedy policy and a stubborn after sales service rep on a mission to destroy its own compagny reputation... come on, how in the hell would a compagny not replace a faulty product to a professional client in the light of him using it professionally? This is ********. Do they sell professional licenses? If they do then okay, if they dont it's ridiculous.

[Dean Roddey]

Originally Posted by Nahuel

Nah that's greed, it's a greedy policy and a stubborn after sales service rep on a mission to destroy its own compagny reputation... come on, how in the hell would a compagny not replace a faulty product to a professional client in the light of him using it professionally? This is ********. Do they sell professional licenses? If they do then okay, if they dont it's ridiculous.

I wasn't saying anything about not replacing the disc, I was commenting on the no-rental policy. I'd have replaced the disc myself.

[mikefennel]

in our case we are a publishing company. on top of that we are on the front lines of fighting piracy.
that being said we dont rent out our studio, in fact the studio is a tool for our signed writers to use and create the new and leading songs that will be heard world wide.
i would think that spectrosonics would be more than happy to be apart of those creations.
instead they have black listed us from using thier software.

[PopularDemand]

Originally Posted by s_sibs

You will find that most, if not all companies that sell samples libraries have similar license agreements. Including Native Instruments. They are single user agreements and are unlike hardware guitars, amps, etc. in that you are licensed the use of the samples as the license holder and they can't be 'rented' out to others.

Exactly. I don't see what the issue is. The policy and practical reality are two different things. The reality is Omnisphere gets used at rented studios on projects that play on TV/Radio/Film all day, every day.

Just seems like a non issue unless we think Spectrasonics has people listening to every movie score trying to pick out Omnisphere sounds then tracking down composers to make sure they have a personal license.

[Nahuel]

Originally Posted by PopularDemand

Exactly. I don't see what the issue is. The policy and practical reality are two different things. The reality is Omnisphere gets used at rented studios on projects that play on TV/Radio/Film all day, every day.

Just seems like a non issue unless we think Spectrasonics has people listening to every movie score trying to pick out Omnisphere sounds then tracking down composers to make sure they have a personal license.

In his case the issue is pretty obvious, he lost his install Cd's and needs another copy but they refuse to help him. That's crazy, they could at least offer to uprade to a professional license that lets him use the product professionally....

I also find it crazy that some ppl find it ok that you have to "cheat" in order to use in normal conditions a product you paid for... from what I understand if I have a spectrasonics product I cant let my friend use it on my own computer...that's incredibly ridiculous. If I pay good money for something I want to be able to use it, as long as I'm not copying it or selling bootleg copies or whatever, without having to look over my shoulder in case some Lee is trying to blacklist me....

[mikefennel]

here is the wording on one email:

Hi Mike,

Our license only allows for a single user, not multiple users as you've described.

I'll need to know who the ------ writers are that are using the product so we can advise you on how to get them their own licenses.



Best Regards,

Les
Support and Design Specialist
-------------------------------------------


so he wanted to know who our writers are and of course im not going to have him contact them nor am i going to tell each writer who comes in to purchase a lic.

ps: i left out our company name....i think you can figure it out if you know me and or know who has the biggest pub company...lol

[PopularDemand]

Originally Posted by Nahuel

In his case the issue is pretty obvious, he lost his install Cd's and needs another copy but they refuse to help him. That's crazy, they could at least offer to uprade to a professional license that lets him use the product professionally....

I missed that part. The OP had an earlier post with the same issue that I read. That post did not have anything about him losing his disks. He added that on this new post above.

Originally Posted by mikefennel

dont buy anything from spectrasonics for your studio:
As a studio owner, am I allowed to include Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments on a rental or studio computer for studio clients to use on their projects?
No. The standard license to use Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments is only granted to the buyer. We have a "single-user/multiple-computer" lifetime license policy. If it is your own recording project that you are producing, of course that isn't a problem. However, your studio clients aren't licensed to use them for their own projects and the use of Spectrasonics Virtual Instruments cannot be "rented." In the case where a client has his own license for a Spectrasonics Virtual Instrument, that client is welcome to use the studio's installed copy of the instrument.

if you have a studio its against they're policy to let a client sit in front of your computer and compose with spectrosonics software !!!!

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/7497793-post149.html

That's very different from "I lost my disks and cant get a replacement". Something does not add up.

[mikefennel]

its simple, my discs were lost.
i asked for replacments.
he asked who was using the omni?
i said myself and my writers on one computer.
so i use the computer and somethimes my writers will ask to bring up a synth...like omni.
very simple.

[Nahuel]

He said it since the first post.
Again the answer he gets on that link you posted is incredible.WTF?

If you pay for something you have the right to use it. That single user policy is stupid.

Originally Posted by PopularDemand

I missed that part. The OP had an earlier post with the same issue that I read. That post did not have anything about him losing his disks. He added that on this new post above.



http://www.gearslutz.com/board/7497793-post149.html

That's very different from "I lost my disks and cant get a replacement". Something does not add up.

Sent from my GT-I5800 using Gearslutz.com App

[elambo]

It's simple: they want facilities with multiple composers to buy a separate copy of their product(s) for each composer, not ONE copy which the whole facility could share. It's licensed to a person, not a particular computer.

Spectrasonics is one of the best software companies out there, but historically they've done a couple of things which are reprehensible. This is one of those things (an unwillingness to provide replacements discs is another). I've heard several attempts to justify this policy but never one which was successful.

[Animus]

Kind of ironic since Omnisynth sampled other synths from what I understand. Imagine if you bought a Korg Triton for your studio and then Korg tried to tell you none of your clients could use it, only you. Stupid greedy sample industry policy.

[Duardo]

If you pay for something you have the right to use it. That single user policy is stupid.

The first part is not true, not entirely...you don't have a right to use it outside the bounds of the license agreement. As others have pointed out, this type of license agreement is more common than many people realize. I know that Vienna Symphonic's license is similar as well.

As for the single user policy being stupid, though...I certainly agree if they have any desire for their products to be used in for-hire studios.

[rhythmtech]

stupid policy, easily ignored

[oceantracks]

Originally Posted by mikefennel

here is the wording on one email:

Hi Mike,

Our license only allows for a single user, not multiple users as you've described.

I'll need to know who the ------ writers are that are using the product so we can advise you on how to get them their own licenses.



Best Regards,

Les
Support and Design Specialist
-------------------------------------------


so he wanted to know who our writers are and of course im not going to have him contact them nor am i going to tell each writer who comes in to purchase a lic.

ps: i left out our company name....i think you can figure it out if you know me and or know who has the biggest pub company...lol

What if DAW makers felt like this?

TH

[MediaMix]

Originally Posted by mikefennel

here is the wording on one email:

Hi Mike,

Our license only allows for a single user, not multiple users as you've described.

I'll need to know who the ------ writers are that are using the product so we can advise you on how to get them their own licenses.



Best Regards,

Les
Support and Design Specialist
-------------------------------------------


so he wanted to know who our writers are and of course im not going to have him contact them nor am i going to tell each writer who comes in to purchase a lic.

ps: i left out our company name....i think you can figure it out if you know me and or know who has the biggest pub company...lol

what about your lost disks? he didn't address it. i'll be honest here. we have had clients come in and use omnisphere in one of the rooms ever since it was released. their stuff is on tv or radio and there has never been an problem.

How would spectrasonics know anything unless you tell them. As mentioned, I doubt if they are watching every tv show and listening to every radio station hoping to hear one of their sounds.

The policy sucks but it's not a game stopper.

[Duardo]

stupid policy, easily ignored

At least until you need replacement disks...

[Nahuel]

Originally Posted by Duardo

At least until you need replacement disks...

exactly, and as you said when you buy something "you don't have a right to use it outside the bounds of the license agreement"... this means that you can genuinely spend 500$ for your software but still be treated like a bootleg kid by mr Lee @ Spetrasonics that will desactivate your license if you admit that someone else might use your rig.... Be carefull, make sure that no non authorized individual is even thinking of getting too close to you computer if you're a Spectrasonics client, you might get in trouble...

[rhythmtech]

im sorry but how or why would spectrasonics ever need to know who uses your copy?

imagine the call:

hi mr spectrasonics, can i have a new disk?
ok but first tell me who uses your copy of the synth?
why me and me only of course!

im not sure how thats complicated?

what you're doing may be against their EULA but what they're doing is scummy and low so who gives a sh1t

[Nick Laho]

I can't say I agree with this policy either. One license should be per computer. To say that it is wrong for someone other than the purchaser to sit down at that computer and write a song in a studio environment is crazy.

[drBill]

Originally Posted by Nahuel

In his case the issue is pretty obvious, he lost his install Cd's and needs another copy but they refuse to help him.

There's something more going on here. Spectrasonics has one of the best support teams in the software biz IMO. I've misplaced my discs and they've FEDEX'd me a new set at their expense. I've had clients who have moved, and lost their discs - same deal. Instant replacement and help getting the serial number changed over to the new disc set. Something's weird here.....

[drBill]

Originally Posted by elambo

(an unwillingness to provide replacements discs is another).

Maybe it was how you asked..... See my above post. Spectrasonics is one of the best out there.....

[Nahuel]

Originally Posted by rhythmtech

im sorry but how or why would spectrasonics ever need to know who uses your copy?

imagine the call:

hi mr spectrasonics, can i have a new disk?
ok but first tell me who uses your copy of the synth?
why me and me only of course!

im not sure how thats complicated?

what you're doing may be against their EULA but what they're doing is scummy and low so who gives a sh1t

If I pay for something I dont want to have to lie to the rep in order to keep my license, btw if you're honest and not aware of that bs then you might loose what should be you property

Originally Posted by drBill

There's something more going on here. Spectrasonics has one of the best support teams in the software biz IMO. I've misplaced my discs and they've FEDEX'd me a new set at their expense. I've had clients who have moved, and lost their discs - same deal. Instant replacement and help getting the serial number changed over to the new disc set. Something's weird here.....

To me his story sounds pretty realistic and you sound like a fan (when you imply that he's probably lying).