Product Activation

Frequently Asked Questions

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Does product activation slow down my computer?
No. The core technology of product activation only runs when you run your Wave Systems software, and has virtually no effect on the overall performance of your computer.
What happens during product activation?
Product activation is a series of simple steps that takes place during the installation of your Wave Systems product. Users enter their product activation code, which is authenticated with the Wave Systems product activation server to activate the product. The entire activation process is quick and easy, and the majority of users will experience product activation only once.
Who will be required to activate their products?
Anyone that purchases the Wave EMBASSY Trust Suite will be required to activate the product. If the product is ordered online from the Wave website the product activation code will be sent via email. In the case where a user purchases a new computer with the Wave EMBASSY Trust Suite, the activation code will be located on the CD envelope.
How soon must I activate my product?
You must activate your product within 10 days after you first launch it.
What happens if I don’t activate my product?
If you don’t activate your product by the 10th day after you first launch it, it will stop working until you activate it.
If I don’t have a product activation code to activate my software, how can I get a product activation code?
If you cannot find your product activation code, you should send in a suppport form to http://supportform.wavesys.com.
How do I activate my product?
You can activate your product 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the Internet. Product activation requires you to type in your product activation code and press submit. You must have a connection to the Internet, in order to activate your product.
How does product activation work?
The activation process uses minimal information about the product and system to create a request for a product license. The license request is composed of the product's activation code, name, version and language along with the operating system name, version and language. In addition, a Hardware ID and Activation ID are created. The Hardware ID is a mathematically computed one-way hash based on your computer's hard drive geometry and CPU family and cannot be used to identify the make or model of your computer or its components. The Hardware ID is only used as an identifier for the machine and never sent to Wave Systems. The Activation ID is a 64-bit random number, which is then downsampled to reduce the size of the activation request code. The Activation ID is only used to identify an individual activation request and contains no information about the product or hardware. The license request is sent to Wave Systems through a secure (SSL) Internet connection. If the request is valid, a valid license is returned that enables the product immediately. The activation process is completely anonymous and never requests, collects, or transmits personal information. It does not scan your hard drive, and none of the information collected can be used to identify your individual hardware components.
What does Wave Systems do with the information sent during the product activation process?
We use the information only to verify that your product is used within the scope allowed by its Wave Systems End-User License Agreement (EULA). The information is stored in a database used only for product activation data. If you register your product, none of the activation information will ever be linked to your personal customer information.
What if I have more than one computer? Does the new license allow me to use the software on multiple machines?
Current Wave Systems End-User License Agreements allow you to install and use software on a single computer only.
Why is Wave Systems requiring their customers to activate the software?
Product activation is a simple way to reduce and deter unauthorized use and casual copying of Wave Systems products with a minimal effect on our loyal customers.
Do I need to be online to use Wave Systems software that includes activation?
Activation is a one-time process. Once you have activated, you do not need to be online to use your software.
Is product activation the same as registration?
They are two separate procedures. Product activation is a mandatory anonymous process that verifies your product activation code and license. In contrast, product registration is a voluntary process that also entitles you to product updates and special offers from Wave Systems.
What information is required for product activation?
The activation process requires you to type in the product activation code only. No personally identifiable information is required.
What is product activation?
Product activation is an anonymous, secure and hassle-free process that authenticates licensed users during the installation process. The process verifies that the product activation code is legitimate and has not been activated on more systems than allowed by the Wave End-User License Agreement (EULA). It does not affect the ability of licensed users to use their software the way they have always done.
My hard drive broke. Will I be able to reinstall the product and reactivate it?
The software will successfully reactivate in most cases. If your attempt to reactivate fails, please contact http://supportform.wavesys.com for help.
Does the activation process ever send data to Wave Systems after I activate my product?
No. Activation is a secure and anonymous one-time process. After activation is complete, the license manager runs alongside the product for the sole purpose of verifying the integrity of the license file and the validity of the product license. The activation technology in the product never contacts Wave Systems except with your express knowledge and consent.
What information is collected and transmitted in the product activation process?
We collect the minimum information required to successfully verify the product license for each product installation, which includes: the product activation code, name, version and language; the operating system name, version and language, and your computer’s processor and hard-disk type. This information is combined, encrypted and then sent to Wave Systems for verification. None of the collected information can be used to identify you or your individual hardware components in any way.
When are Wave Systems Support centers open?
We provide 24-hour worldwide support. Activation Support representatives are also available to help with product activation issues.
What if I would like to move the software to a new computer?
To move your software to a new computer, you first need to transfer your software license. Transferring your software license will immediately deactivate the software on your original computer so that you can activate your software on a new computer. Contact http://supportform.wavesys.com for instructions and help.
What is "ghosting" and does Macromedia allow ghosting?
Ghosting is an action where a user makes a copy of his/her hard drive to return to at a later date. Ghosting is permitted as long as the user creates this reserved image on his/her primary or secondary machine and restores it only on his/her same primary or secondary machine.
What information is required for product registration?
Product registration is a voluntary process and only requires that you provide your name, address and e-mail address.
I've heard that the activation technology stores data to the hard drive, outside the normal file system. Isn't that dangerous?
The activation technology uses a robust and proven algorithm to safely write its license data to an unused sector of the hard drive located in track zero. This technology has been used in a variety of software installed on millions of computers worldwide and verified to be safe by independent sources. This approach allows license data to remain safe even if the product or operating system require reinstallation. In rare cases where the algorithm determines that writing to track zero may cause a potential conflict, it uses an alternative file system-based anchor for the license data.
Does product activation make the software harder to use?
Product activation is a simple one-time process. Most users activate their software as soon as they install it and never have to worry about it again.
When is product reactivation required?
Product reactivation is required only under exceptional circumstances — if, for example, you upgrade or replace your computer, or if the activation process detects that the license has been tampered with.
Does product activation prevent me from using my product after upgrading my computer or getting a new computer?
No. If you upgrade or replace your computer, you can transfer your license to the new or upgraded machine at your convenience. You should contact Wave support at http://supportform.wavesys.com for further assistance.
What if I don't have an Internet connection?
You have a 10-day grace period before activation is required. Activation is a quick, one-time process. If your computer is temporarily offline, you can activate the next time it's online. Once the product is activated, the activation process no longer needs to connect to the Internet.
What if I can’t activate my software immediately?
Although most customers activate their software as soon as they install it, you have a 10-day grace period after your first launch to activate the product. The software, which is fully functional during this period, will automatically remind you to activate at regular intervals. After 10 days, the product will stop working until you activate it.
How long does product activation take to complete?
Product activation is a one-time process that is typically completed immediately after installation of the software. Activation typically takes 10 to 30 seconds to complete.
How does Wave Systems keep this information secure?
We use the industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) to transmit data to product activation servers that are both physically secure and have limited employee access.
What technology did Wave Systems use to implement product activation?
The core licensing engine is based on a new, improved version of industry-standard Macrovision technology. Wave Systems worked extensively to customize the product activation technology and process to meet the needs of its customers and to provide the best possible experience.

Additional Support

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