In May 2010 I bought the full version of CorelDraw X5.
Today, after rebuilding both my Desktop and Laptop, CorelDraw will refuse to activate, mentioning that I had reached the maximum number of activations.
OK, I have had to re-install the software a number of times since I bought it. Over 3 years, I've had machines crash, I upgraded them, I bought new ones. This is to be expected I think.
So I'm a bit dismayed that the software I bought can't be activated any longer.
I can't use it.
I tried to call the number given for my location (Hong Kong) but that number is in Taiwan. I made the expensive international call a few times nonetheless only get to a pre-registered message that seemed to urge me to just go to the website.
I tried the number given for Singapore. Apparently that number has been disconnected. At any rate, it wouldn't work, and I'm not sure they would have helped anyway.
I tried to see if I could contact support through the website. Alas, Corel is trying very hard not to be contacted. No online help. No special section for the resolution of activation issues, unless you pay some more of course.
I cannot fathom the ineptitude of that activation implementation. Who ever through it was a good idea to have a hard limit on the number of activation ?
I can understand that Corel would want to limit piracy, but seriously, I've paid for the privilege of using that software, and I'm bitter as hell that I have to waste so much time trying to find a solution, and finding none.
The rule shouldn't be a fixed number of activation per serial. It should be a fixed number of activations per year. Better still, I should be able to see a list of my activated machines on my Corel account page and I should be able to activate/deactivate these machines from there, like Dropbox does with linked machines, or Amazon does with the Kindle.
Let me rebuild my machines, purchase a new one when my laptop is stolen or crashed, let me use my software for years to come, until I decide to upgrade on my own terms.
Activation is just a ticking time bomb. A sure way to obsolete software, and, at least in my case, a sure way to alienate a loyal fan who is probably not going to spend another dime on a product he loved.
Sad and furious.