"We do know that other companies using this type of protection have been very successful." Steve, which other programs using a "similar" (read: hardware coded serial key) are out there that have proven successful at stopping piracy (or at least reducing it)? The only thing I know of right now using this type of protection is Windows XP and Office XP, and it's a bit early to say anything about their success (or lack thereof). I'm more knowledgable about OSes and such since Poser is more of a hobby, but I really don't want to jump through hoops to use it. That's also why I won't get XP anything. Windows 2000, although expensive, didn't make me jump through hoops to use. Thanks for taking the time to be involved on here, I know we all appreciate it.