For me the line is not so clear but I agree:
Nowadays, the normal use is to have the software on 2 computers. A Dongle would in fact be broken/lost very quickly.
Software with iLok I’ll never buy…
An USB Licencer I use for Cubase and therefore I use some VSTs with that Dongle (but I’m not satisfied with this).
But it’s a road without future!
Me and more and more users switch to Software like Presonus Studio One that manage to sell without Dongle…
People who can purchase this Software WILL purchase this software. People who are not able to purchase this Software might get them somewhere else but will not destroy the company.
As a result perhaps they have to struggle with viruses and trojans and crashes but (on the positive side) they spread the name of the product…
Time to think about building a new software licensing system for Steinberg… Otherwise a good product is crippled and destroyed by marketing!