Temporary/permanent serial numbers?

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On 13/05/2007 at 16:33, xxxxxxxx wrote:

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Howdy,

OK, I know from a previous post that the 4th digit indicates whether the serial number is temporary or permanent, and that the 4th digit should be the only digit that changes between a customer's temporary number and permanent number. Is this always the case? My plugin's serial number check is set up to ignore the temporary digit.

I seem to get a few, not many, that register with a temporary number, and then tell me that the number doesn't work. Then they'll say, "Oh, I made a mistake and sent you my temporary number. Here is my permanent number." The permanent number they send is then a totally different number, not just a 4th digit change.

Is this a con, or can the numbers sometimes be that different from the temporary number to the permanent number? I have many customers who I've registered their temporary number and they've never had any problems after receiving their permanent number.

I'm considering not registering any more temporary numbers.

Adios,
Cactus Dan

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On 13/05/2007 at 21:41, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I've had quite a few where the temporary serial number and permanent differ by more than just the 4th digit. I wouldn't depend upon that assumption.

I'd suggest not registering temporary serial numbers. As a matter of fact, I intentionally lag on them hoping that the user will get the permanent numbers in the meantime and that'll be that. Sometimes they are forced to use the temporary much longer - but that is rare.

To be fair to those who might need to wait a couple weeks for the permanent serial numbers, I'd make a note that they must send the permanent serial number when received - that is the only recourse.

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On 14/05/2007 at 04:48, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi,

I ONLY take permanent numbers, so temporary numbers (4th digit=='3') are not accepted. It´s too much of a hassle, although I cannot confirm that the permanent ones differed from the temporary except for the fourth digit for my customers.

simply cut off the temporary numbers support, it shouldn´t be a problem. :)

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On 14/05/2007 at 17:17, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I can't speak for MAXON globally, but it would be extremely rare for a US / Canada / South America customer to get a permanent serial number that doesn't match the temporary (besides the fourth digit). It would only happen if we seriously goofed up here - and I can only think of a half-dozen or so times at most we've had to issue a different permanent number in the last 3 years.

Rick Barrett
VP Operations, MAXON USA

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On 14/05/2007 at 17:32, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Howdy,

Hehe, and the amusing part of that is that I've only gotten that line from US customers who've bought my plugins. It sounds like my assumption that the story they tell me is indeed a con.

Well, that settles it. No more temporary serial numbers accepted. ;)

Adios,
Cactus Dan

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On 14/05/2007 at 23:04, xxxxxxxx wrote:

I don't know about that. I don't retain the serial numbers generated for temporary serial numbers, but it has happened on more than one occasion that I 'presume' the permanent serial number from the temporary and they differ in more than just that 4th digit. Not frequent - but I don't cast suspicion on the customers. What would be the point of requesting number A temporarily (for 30 days at most) and then requesting number B as their permanent number. It could be a cracked version - but I can't determine that - can you?

Also note that I was also very suspicious about having multiple users with the same 11-digit serial numbers. They all have the same? Well, yes, the serial number also includes a unique set of letters beyond that (which we can't use). The 11-digits are only part of that and, supposedly, non-unique. It is possible for more than one user to have the exact same 11-digit serial number PART for their complete Cinema 4D base serial number.

Rick? ;)

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On 15/05/2007 at 06:29, xxxxxxxx wrote:

Quote: _What would be the point of requesting number A temporarily (for 30 days at most) and then requesting number B as their permanent number.
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> * * *
_

Howdy,

Well, it could be that the person is trying to get a free plugin for a buddy or something.

I had one case where someone bought a plugin and registered it using my web site's registration form, and then sent the link to the form's page to a buddy, thinking that the serial number generation was automated. The link is inaccessible until a purchase is made. When I received the registration from the buddy, I simply replied that I have no record of purchase from them, and that they must purchase the plugin before registering it. The next day, the first person sent me an email and gave me the "I sent you the wrong number" line, and included the supposidly correct number, which was the exact same number the second person tried to register without purchasing. It was so obvious what was going on there because, neither of those numbers were temporary numbers and it all happened in a matter of a couple of days.

But, not all cases are that obvious, and you can't come flat out and accuse a customer of trying to get a free plugin for a buddy simply because the temporary number and permanent number are totally different. It's easier to just stop supporting temporary number registration.

You see, the problem is that I set up my plugin's serial number check to ignore the temporary digit, so that the customers wouldn't have to wait for their permanent number, or bother with getting another plugin number after receiving their C4D permanent number. It was a convenience to both me and the customer.

But what's the old saying about one bad apple spoiling the bushel... :(

Adios,
Cactus Dan

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On 15/05/2007 at 10:51, xxxxxxxx wrote:

No two users should ever have the same first eleven digits, particularly if we're talking about permanent serials. The first eleven digits are always unique and are in fact our first means of identifying customers when they contact us for technical support. I programmed the database that assigns serials on our side of the world and manage the tech support department here as well, so I'm confident in this information.

If you get more than one request using the same serial, I would imagine that at least one of the individuals is using a pirated copy. I'm more than willing to look up "suspect" serials of N&S; America customers for you guys if you contact me via email, and in fact I'd be interested to see what you're seeing.

I don't think it's really prudent to get too deep into our serialization on an open forum, but I can discuss some additional aspects with you guys privately.

Rick Barrett
VP Operations, MAXON USA

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On 15/05/2007 at 13:14, xxxxxxxx wrote:

That's interesting. At first when I saw duplicate 11-digit serial numbers I was very skeptical of at least one but I've quite a few repetitions and figured that the rest of the serial number covered uniqueness thereafter.

It would take a bit, but I could find all of those that are identical and send you them for your verification. What else would you need with the matches?

I think that your email is already in my contacts.

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On 15/05/2007 at 13:33, xxxxxxxx wrote:

It's up to you whether you want to dig them out, or just wait for the next one. If you just give me the first eleven digits I can look it up and tell you if it's registered. You can give me a last name too if you'd like and I'll confirm if the software is registered in that name or not.

Obviously any such requests should be emailed directly and not posted. I'm pretty sure you've got my email - if not it's my first name at maxon.net

Rick Barrett
VP Operations, MAXON USA