I purchased Cubase 10 a few years ago. It met my 100% of my needs then and it still meets 100% of my needs now (meaning I don’t need any features of Cubase 11, 12, 13 or 14). Recently my PC completely crashed forcing my to reinstall everything including the operating system and all software. This was when I found out that Steinberg had killed my perfectly functional Cubase 10 because they changed the method of licensing the software. Cubase 10 would work just fine on my Windows 11 PC but I can no longer license it. The solution from Steinberg is to buy the latest version at a discounted price. I don’t want the latest version. I don’t need the latest version. I need Cubase 10 which I already paid for. I don’t need or care about continued support for Cubase 10. It met 100% of my needs.
Looking at section 5.6 of the EULA Steinberg state:
“Steinberg may replace the license management technology used in the future with a new license management technology. In doing so, it may be necessary that for the further use of the software, for example for claiming warranty, changing licenses on the USB-eLicenser, support, updates and upgrades, you must download and install an update regarding the new license management technology and carry out a new activation of the software with the server of Steinberg via the Internet, whereby you will receive the activation codes for this, for example, in your account with Steinberg. You will be informed of the necessary steps if required, for example, via the email address stored in your account with Steinberg.”
At no point of the EULA does it mention that if Steinberg change their method of licensing software will I be required to purchase new software. They clearly state that I would be required to download and install an update regarding the new license management technology and carry out a new activation of the software with the server of Steinberg via the Internet, whereby you will receive the activation codes for this.
Steinberg need to stop making this a problem that users need to fix by paying them more money for something they have already paid for. Steinberg created the problem. Steinberg need to fix the problem. If their actions are not technically illegal they are certainly very dark and speak volumes about their business ethics.
I have no dongle. I was using the e-licenser software which Steinberg have stopped using. They have bricked my perfectly functional software and the solution from them is to pay them more money.
Sorry about your issue. I’ll respond from a technical perspective, but please don’t take that as a dismissal of your feelings on the matter. I totally understand where you’re coming from.
I think the minimum solution is to purchase the C14E “update” from C10.5E. This will give you C12E as well, which is the minimum required version for the current Steinberg Licensing. All other things aside (even if you don’t want it or need it) that’s going to be the solution.
If that solution is unacceptable, then you’ll probably need to switch to a different DAW. But even if SB gave it to you for free, C12 is the minimum you will have to run whether you like it or not.
Again, I’m not disputing the rights or wrongs about your position, I’m just giving you my opinion on what the solutions are. I’ve no doubt others may have different ideas which may work for you.
There’s so much to unpack in that first post that all I going to say is: I never trust the software to work, I never trust the hardware to work. And I act accordingly.
Steinberg didn’t “brick” anything, they warned everyone 4 years ago this was coming, and Cubase 10 was already an ‘old’ version when it was all announced. Folks that decide to stay on old versions of software need to realize, YOU choose to remain behind and its up to YOU to handle it appropriately, you don’t get endless lifetime support. Cubase 10 came out in 2018, its now 2025 and 4 versions of Cubase later.
Personally I would try to contact Steinberg directly (phone, support ticket), explain the situation in a calm and friendly way and ask if they can help you in any way.
Basic ethics tell us that Steinberg needs to have a free-of-charge concession already in place for these users so the software they paid for remains usable.
I mean, really: this is some pretty basic academic philosophy here, like first year undergrad stuff. If someone can’t arrive at this conclusion on their own, that’s a little disturbing to me.
If what OP is saying is true, they have a valid case, no ifs, ands, or buts.
The disturbing part is more like the imagined entitlement of those people that somehow think they are owed endless tech support long after a product has been discontinued and the company has moved on. Where’s my support for Cubase VST? Steinberg you OWE ME PARALLEL PORTS FOR MY DONGLE!!
Do you go to Microsoft and expect help with Windows 2000 or even Windows 8 at this point? I’d like to see what happens when you ask them about that one..
If you just don’t want, on principal, to pay the discounted 49.99 price to get elements 14…and you’re not going to do it under any circumstances…hey, that’s the way it is.
No point in any of us engaging your fury. Hope you find a new daw that you like.
Your arguments are wrong. It’s not about the support but about the ability to use something that you paid for.
Few weeks ago I installed my copy of Windows XP and it was possible to perform authentication. Now I can use it and I don’t expect any other support from the Microsoft.
TBH, the software is usable, if you followed the steps they told everybody in the last three years.
If you ignored the warnings, it is too late now.
They (Steinberg) started to announce the change 4 years ago.
His arguments are valid.
So why not using the software as it was on the time it was delivered?
General, that is still possible. I can use my dongle until it is falling apart.
There were warnings about the Soft-eLicenser that were ignored by some.
These are the people who paid nothing or very less money for Cubase Editions that run out of support two years ago. And now they complain about not working software? Really not.
Forum? Reinstalling?
It would not work either if the eLicencer-server would be still in place.
The License (the Soft-eLicenser) is destroyed with the reinstall.
Of course, the delivered documentation was stating this.
Just stop. You’re clearly incapable of seeing the point and only want to fill the screen with more text. Some of you on this forum are just incorrigible.
