SoniClear software that is shipped as a boxed product uses the SoniClear Floating License System for copy protection. The Floating License System manages the software licenses that are shipped to the customer on a USB Key device (sometimes referred to as a USB "dongle"). Each USB Key device can store up to five separate licenses. The user has the option to leave a floating license stored in the USB Key, or lock the license to a specific computer.

Floating License Usage
When the user receives the software initially, the SoniClear software license is stored on the USB Key. The software itself can be installed on any number of computers. SoniClear will only run when the USB Key device holding the “floating license” is plugged into the computer prior to running the software. This mode of usage is the same as the "Roving License" option offered with prior SoniClear releases.

Single Computer License Usage
The user has the option, from the Edit Preferences dialog, to lock the license to a specific computer. The advantage of locking the license to the computer is that the USB Key device then does not need to be plugged into the computer when running SoniClear. This mode of usage is similar to the "Single Computer License" option in prior SoniClear releases. Once a license has been locked to a computer it cannot be used as a floating license with the USB Key.

The user has the option of unlocking the license from the computer at any time. Then the license reverts to floating status, stored in the USB Key device. The USB Key can then be used to authorize running the software on other machines, either as a Floating License, or locked to another computer.

Using a USB Key with Multiple Licenses
The USB Key can hold up to five licenses, usually configured with either one, two or five licenses. In the case of a single license, the USB Key can be used either as a authorization device, or to manage locking the license to one computer. When more than one license is on the key, there is the option to lock on or more licenses to specific computers and leave one or more licenses on the key. This allows for a combination of floating usage and single computer usage from the package of supplied licenses.

In the case of a two-license package, it could be useful to have one license locked to a laptop computer for portable recording, and keep the second license on the key to allow using the software on several desktop computers. It would also work to lock both licenses to separate computers and store the key for safe keeping.

In the case of a five-license package, one or more of the licenses can be left on the key device to allow having a roving license functionality. However, keep in mind that the USB Key must be available to unlock a license from a computer. Consider, for example, that a five-license key has four licenses locked to computers and a single remaining license left on the key for floating use. Losing the key will not only result in losing the remaining floating license, it would be impossible to unlock the remaining four licenses from their computers in the event of system crashes or hardware upgrades.

Locking and Unlocking Licenses using Edit Preferences
From the License tab of the Edit Preferences dialog, a license stored on the USB Key device can be locked to the computer. Once the license is locked on the computer, the USB Key device does not need to be plugged into the computer to run the software.

If the USB Key is plugged into the computer before running SoniClear, the License Status will be shown (number of licenses on the USB Key and a list of Computer Licenses). If the USB Key was not inserted at the time the SoniClear program was started, the Check for USB Key button can be clicked after plugging the device into the computer. This will update the License Status information.

The total number of licenses included on the USB Key is shown. If no USB Key is inserted, the number will default to one license, which may not match the number of licenses on the actual device used to lock this license.

In the Computer Licenses section, each computer that has a license locked from the USB Key is shown with the computer name and the lock status. A button next to the current computer will show either Lock or Unlock, depending on the status. To lock the license on this computer, click the Lock button. Once it has been locked to the computer, the button will show Unlock. Clicking the Unlock button will move the license back to the USB Key, where it can be used on other computers. Unlocking requires having the USB Key used to lock the license. If more than one USB Key is available, using the wrong key will disable the Unlock feature.

Crash Recovery
If a computer has a SoniClear license locked on it and that computer crashes, the license remains unusable until performing a recover of the computer. As long as the SoniClear program directory has been backed up and restored during the computer recovery process, the license will remain intact. At that point, the license can be unlocked from the computer and moved to a new computer, if necessary. If the SoniClear program directory has not been backed up, the license will be lost and cannot be recovered. It is the customers responsibility to back up the SoniClear license information contained in the program directory to ensure that the license is not lost.

Technical Support
For additional assistance with license management or crash recovery, contact Trio Systems.