topic Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months! in Licensing

Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Rex Maximilian — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 09:25:49 GMT

I'm starting a new thread here because:

a) this is a new instance of this occurrence, and
b) there has been "no" resolution or explanation from Graphisoft on the original thread as to why perpetual license owners are subject to having our software relegated to demo mode within 30 days; again, for a software we PAID for outright.

By my count, the first instance of this reauthentication mandate appeared only 3 1/2 months ago (November 20, 2022). Why is it again appearing so soon, and threatening to relegate my perpetual license to demo mode if I don't comply within 30 days?

It's not far-fetched to assume that if we don't resolve this soon, on a client to company level, I have no doubt, they will simply move to a business model of rendering perpetual licenses null and void, and for associated GSIDs to have annual SSAs attached to “authenticate” and run ArchiCAD — they want a forced revenue stream from us, and ending perpetual licenses, even those that are currently perpetual, by moving to a subscription or SSA based only model.

This, is "unacceptable." I will be creating a tech support case on this issue to officially go on the record; and to hopefully get an official statement as to it either being an oversight they will fix, or if they indeed will render the software useless if we don't reauthenticate with them every few months.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

jl_lt — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 13:32:16 GMT

Hi Rex, i havent encountered this (yet) but please let us know if You get a response.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

laembert — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:53:20 GMT

Let's pray for BlenderBIM.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

mthd — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 04:04:36 GMT

As a Chief Architect user since 1999, I have seen an SSA system (Software Support & Assurance, as they call it) a similar system to Archicad was introduced years ago but recently the CA/SSA model has stopped for new users wanting to use Chief Architect. They now have a yearly subscription fee of $1995 USD per year with no more perpetual licenses being offered.

I currently own version X10 and they are now at version X15. We had a couple of months to upgrade our software to the latest version and keep paying SSA to keep our perpetual licenses. I opted out because I prefer to use Archicad for my business model here in Australia. I would be quite upset if Archicad went down the same path to a yearly fee system, like Chief Architect use with no more perpetual licenses being offered. I hope they don’t do that to us ?

I am saving my pennies to get the latest version of Archicad and to re activate SSA after a period of being inactive for health reasons.

I hope Graphisoft don’t follow the Autodesk business model either. I hope they are much wiser than they are. Sure you can rent Archicad out for a fee but you should also be able to have a perpetual license if you choose to own one.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

jl_lt — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 04:55:48 GMT

We are all hoping the same @mthd. at least we are

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Rex Maximilian — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 06:24:15 GMT

I just did a quick calculation of monies paid to Graphisoft over the time of obtaining ArchiCAD in the early-90's and subsequent upgrades and SSA payment for 30 years.

The total is, give or take a few hundred, $25,000 for the one license.

Imagine after having paid to "own" the software license, to get a message from them that; if you don't do what they want you to do when they want you to do it, they will hold your full-working license ransom.

I don't mean to stir the pot, as my main goal is to bring attention to this so that it is corrected. But it's a bit puzzling that there isn't more resistance to this... That they can render your paid software inactive.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Barry Kelly — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:06:08 GMT

Does the software actually become inactive?

Or is it you can just no longer access extra SSA/Forward features such as additional surface material library, etc.

I honestly don't know the answer to that, but I suspect (and hope) it is just the 'extra' access you will lose.

After all, you can turn of the internet connection and Archicad will still run.

Barry.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

mthd — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:26:33 GMT

25K ! Unfortunately we earlier users pay a big chunk for the development of the software. So you in effect become an investor in the software development and they shouldn’t be able to take your investment away from you and make it null & void like other CAD companies have done recently.

Nor should they force you to upgrade when you simply cannot afford to because of retirement or health issues etc. I am not happy with my other CAD companies dealings.

I hope Graphisoft keep perpetual licensing and keep it open for us to upgrade when ever we can afford to. Software upgrades should only be one step no matter how old it gets particularly for us who were with GS for decades. A 3 step upgrade will cost you more than a new license these days, isn’t that just crazy ?

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Rex Maximilian — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:36:36 GMT

I believe it was confirmed in the original posting late last year that it would run in demo mode. I need to re-confirm that.

It would be nice to get actual feedback from GS on this.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Rex Maximilian — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:40:46 GMT

This was posted in the first discussion:
https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Setup-License-forum/GS-ID-Authentication/m-p/362838/highlight/true#M33749

He confirm it reverted to demo mode.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

mthd — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:44:44 GMT

My license reverts to demo mode when the USB dongle is not present.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Rex Maximilian — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 09:47:30 GMT

That is standard. Lack of a license via hardware or software key results in demo mode.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

jl_lt — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 04:05:12 GMT

With the news of this already happening with Vectorworks, and a thread about it on this forum, i also find it strange there isnt more outrage about it

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Rick Thompson — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 14:58:35 GMT

I have had that pop up when I start AC on its own. However, all I need to do is start it from double clicking a pln and it starts fine. I took it as a bug. I have had AC freeze/crash at the start up "select new.. file screen" (forgot it's proper name) so I avoid it coming up by starting direct form a file.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Rex Maximilian — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 21:32:26 GMT

But the counter is clicking down from 30 days. It still pops up to me once a day with one day less. Sure, I could click it... but the philosophical issue still pervades: does Graphisoft have the right to revert our software that we paid full costs for perpetual licenses to demo mode if we don't do what they want us to? What if we were in a remote area for more than 30 days on a project and had no internet access? It's just wrong to have our right to use our paid software in their hands.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:29:02 GMT

Rex,

So, if I understand correctly, this "Re-authentication needed" message appeared for you about 3-4 months ago, at which time you re-authenticated. As discussed in the previous thread, based on info I got from GS HQ, this message should appear once a year. However, it has now reappeared for you only 3-4 months after its previous appearance? Is that correct?

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Rex Maximilian — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 01:34:26 GMT

Correct. It asked me initially to re-authenticate in late November, and has just asked me again last week. So a three-and-a-half gap in-between.

But to emphasize, my issue is with the fact that I have a perpetual license fully paid for and faithfully upgraded for 30 years that is now subject to deactivation.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 14 Mar 2023 03:03:10 GMT

OK, got it, thanks.

Re: Reauthentication Strikes again... in just months!

Benjamin Dani — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:32:21 GMT

Hello,

Thank you for sharing this issue with us!

During re-authentication Archicad checks for two things:

If the same GSID was entered
If the same user was logged in to the machine

If you either logged in to Archicad on another machine using your GSID or you logged into Archicad on your machine BUT with a different user (not different GSID), a re-authentication will be needed.

If neither of this happened, I would suggest reaching out to your local support describing them the issue and sending them the following:

All of the Fastlogger files from the machine (please read this article for more information)
Starter FastLogger logs (C:\Users\UserHomeFolder\GRAPHISOFT\Starter or /Users/ActualUser'sHomeFolder/Library/Logs/Graphisoft/Starter)
Content of the GSID cache folder (C:\Users\UserHomeFolder\GRAPHISOFT\GSID or /Users/ActualUser'sHomeFolder/Library/Application Support/Graphisoft/GSID)

Best regards,