I'm geussing machine binding add-ons will not go away because I wish it. So I started this topic in which I hope to get a clear answer from Captain Sim, PMDG and FSD.Questions:A) Can you indicated which of the following user actions would require reactivation of your add-ons:1. Processor overclocking2. Processor upgrading3. Mainboard flashing the BIOS4. Mainboard replacement with other/faster chipset5. Graphics card upgrading6. Networkcard replacement7. Harddisk repartitioning (i.e. growing & shrinking of partition with partitionmagic)8. Harddisk the use of an alternative boot partion (same disk)9. Harddisk reformat and reinstal of the OS10. Harddisk recovery of boot partition by using ghostLet me clarify. I'm not seeking for a workaround or crack I just want to know how much impact this kind of protection has on my everyday use of the computer. (believe it or not most of these things tend to happen to my computer):( How many keys do you provide to a user. Is there a limit?C) Do you have a policy in case your company goes out of buissnes. I seek an answer along the lines of: We mail an unlocked add-on to al our customers, we wil release the add-on as freeware or we will provide an unlocking program for our customers.Again I would like to keep this topic technical so please no sentiments or bad experiences! Feel free to add questions/cases I might have forgotten.

Hi,let me try to answer some from my technical knowledge:A) answering any of these would help even more the hackers work.:( as long as users are given a key whenever they ask for, as it seems to have been the case in reading any thread in these forums about any vendor providing a license key, I personally don't care, and in my opinion, each vendor as a proven track record of fullfilling requests (some just faster than others). In any case, answering this would also help hackers.C) I'm sure they'd provide an "unlocked" version. Why shouldn't they? But I lack any "technical" background to answer such a "commercial" question...What is sure is that many, if not all vendors are providing, or will provide, a machine binding mechanism of some sort in the Flight Simulator add-on world. I'm fine with this, as I also know that in doing so, and trying to prevent piracy, we can still enjoy software which price is not increased to cover the loss due to piracy. Too many companies are charging an extra for covering some costs. Even the Credit Card companies do so. I can't help myself than to think about the number of people complaining about the rising price of their hobby in these forums too, and try to assess what it is that we all really want?!! I guess, there is no unique solution to please everyone.Hope this helps!

Hi JeanLuc,You say you are sure about the providing of an unlocked version in case of problems. I geuss you're right bu all I seek is a simple statement in the EULA that says: If or company goes out of buisnness we will provide you with unlocking software on site X. Such a simple statement to make.Makes it a Legal quistion instead of a technical or commercial question ;-)Thanks for your feedback

Well, I guess I've never seen such a mention in any EULA from any software vendor, and I can't imagine why it should be different in this market?!?Sorry of not being of more help then.Best,

>Hi JeanLuc,>>You say you are sure about the providing of an unlocked>version in case of problems. I geuss you're right bu all I>seek is a simple statement in the EULA that says: If or>company goes out of buisnness we will provide you with>unlocking software on site X. Such a simple statement to>make.If the company goes out of business they may not be legally responsible for anything you may want. That is why the Cardinal rule in the computer world is BACKUP - BACKUP - BACKUP. I also write down my Software keys in 3 places. My desk at home, at work and a copy in my fireproof safe in my basement shop. >>Makes it a Legal quistion instead of a technical or commercial>question ;-)All the more reason to not get into it here :)>>Thanks for your feedbackBobby