If you upgrade an NFR Freebie license, does it become a standard license type?

smilingcrow · 2025-03-27T14:11:02+00:00

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Hi,
I have Massive which came with Focusrite hardware and it appears to be NFR. I say this because I registered it over a year ago and it still shows as Not transferable in my account.
But I’m showed an Upgrade offer to Komplete Standard based on owning Massive.
So if I upgrade NFR software, does it stay NFR or will it then become a regular license type?
I don’t want to spend hundreds on an upgrade for it to become NFR.

I assume that the point of these NFR freebies is to encourage further sales, which would be reduced if upgrades become NFR.

Thanks

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PoorFellow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/43867/if-you-upgrade-an-nfr-freebie-license-does-it-become-a-standard-license-type

I have Massive which came with Focusrite hardware and it appears to be NFR.
I say this because I registered it over a year ago and it still shows as Not transferable in my account.

I think that there is a misunderstanding here. If the license is NFR then it should say so. The fact that it is not transferable more suggests that it is the same license type as what comes free with N.I. hardware. That type of hardware dependent license indeed is not transferable as if it had been a NFR. But the difference is that when it comes with N.I. hardware then the software is considered base software so if you sell the hardware then the secondhand buyer gets their own license free while you get to keep the software also. (I don't know if second hand buyers of e.g. Focusrite hardware will get same software also)

Also a major difference between what license you have and NFR is that as far as I know then NFR can not be used as base for upgrades.

I assume that the point of these NFR freebies is to encourage further sales, which would be reduced if upgrades become NFR.

Of course you get the free software to introduce you to the software in the hope that you will buy more software and e.g. upgrades.

But I’m showed an Upgrade offer to Komplete Standard based on owning Massive.
So if I upgrade NFR software, does it stay NFR or will it then become a regular license type?
I don’t want to spend hundreds on an upgrade for it to become NFR.

If you buy an upgrade then you can sell the upgrade later to someone else , but since that you can not transfer the base software then the buyer will have to have qualifying base software themselves to be able to use the upgrade.

What upgrade license that you buy does not magically change into not transferable just because that you can not transfer the base software.

In case that you have further doubts or needs to have confirmed that what I think is right then please contact respectively N.I. Account Support and N.I. Purchase Support

In case that you need guidance contacting support : Please read : how to get support !

All comments

PoorFellow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/43867/if-you-upgrade-an-nfr-freebie-license-does-it-become-a-standard-license-type

I have Massive which came with Focusrite hardware and it appears to be NFR.
I say this because I registered it over a year ago and it still shows as Not transferable in my account.

Also a major difference between what license you have and NFR is that as far as I know then NFR can not be used as base for upgrades.

I assume that the point of these NFR freebies is to encourage further sales, which would be reduced if upgrades become NFR.

Of course you get the free software to introduce you to the software in the hope that you will buy more software and e.g. upgrades.

But I’m showed an Upgrade offer to Komplete Standard based on owning Massive.
So if I upgrade NFR software, does it stay NFR or will it then become a regular license type?
I don’t want to spend hundreds on an upgrade for it to become NFR.

What upgrade license that you buy does not magically change into not transferable just because that you can not transfer the base software.

In case that you have further doubts or needs to have confirmed that what I think is right then please contact respectively N.I. Account Support and N.I. Purchase Support

In case that you need guidance contacting support : Please read : how to get support !

Vocalpoint

"NFR can not be used as base for upgrades"

Correct. There is no path to upgrade a NFR license.

smilingcrow

Thanks all, that makes sense.
I was confusing NI with a few other companies that allow you to upgrade an NFR and the resultant license becomes a Full license that can be transferred and the base NFR license is surrendered.

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/219223#Comment_219223

Do those "few other companies" realize they just not only just gave away a Full license (of whatever it is) for free - but also just basically gave the finger to all their "real" customers by allowing a NFR user to sidestep all paying customers and afford them the same upgrade track benefits as someone who paid their way in?

No sure I would ever want to be a customer of these guys. Whoever they are.

smilingcrow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/219228#Comment_219228

Companies give away stuff all the time or sell things at very low prices.
NI have given away plenty of things or sold them at very low prices which could also annoy people.
There's a current offering of Komplete Select 15 for free via Akai etc.

If I boycotted every company that does things like this, I'd be living in a cave playing a drum with an animal skin and a flute made from an animal bone.
Unless I was vegan, in which case I'd have problems.

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/219230#Comment_219230

There is a vast difference between an NFR license - and giving something away via a recurring promo (like Select).

The difference is - anyone can get (and take advantage) of that AKAI deal. Practically zero people are ever granted an actual NFR.

smilingcrow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/219231#Comment_219231

NFR means different things to different companies.
In this case, I'm referring to licences that were given away and that can't be transferred after being registered.
Plenty of companies give away this type of NFR with hardware, although they don't always make it clear what the terms of the license are.
I'd prefer it if companies are very clear about the terms and especially if they allow someone to use it as a base for an Upgrade/Update/Crossgrade.

Vocalpoint

Well - I have been in the business since the late 90's and NFR (specifically for software) has always meant "Not for Resale".

Which really means Not for Upgrade. Not for Transfer. Not for Trade. etc etc.

Basically, not for anything of any redeemable value whatsoever except to allow the NFR license holder to test/use a single instance of the product - themselves - in their environment - forever.

Have never seen any NFR that could be parlayed into an actual "retail" license when it comes to software.

smilingcrow

As already stated, NFR can mean different things to different companies.
Plus some change their terms over time, so it's extremely difficult for one person to know every permutation.
It's rare for companies to allow an upgrade from an NFR base to a Full standard license type.
I can't remember right now who allows it.
It will come to me later.

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