CS6 Serial number

Before the big announcement about our licenses, which is supposedly happening today, I wanted to do a recap of facts that we have gathered over the last three weeks so we can easily review our position as a group.

1.) Between May 2012 and August 2014, the Academy of Art University granted students permanent licenses, for CS6 Master Collection. We have documented proof that we were told, in writing, that these licenses would never expire and all forms of professional and student work were permitted. In fact, we have several sources for this claim, and it is not in dispute.
2.) We were given stand-alone, non-subscription based software, which appears to be the last possible independent version of Adobe’s software suite.
3.) License cancellation began in June 2014, occurring in waves, with the largest set of cancellations (and presumed final batch) occurring around August 3rd, 2014. There was no warning, and no one was prepared to endure the changes or impending costs associated with the theft. Many, in desperation to keep their jobs, were forced to pay the ransom and join Creative Cloud against their personal will.
4.) Adobe blames AAU for the cancellations, with no details as to why, except for a clear direction to only contact AAU about the issue as they will not assist us or explain their reasoning. We have a plethora of sources for this claim.,
5.) The acting school director of AAU told me, Sarah Ryan, directly, that she had “no previous knowledge this would happen.” She even went on to claim “shock” at the turn of events. Therefore while Adobe blames AAU squarely, AAU is claiming complete and total ignorance. I personally find this highly suspicious given the well-orchestrated plan to support Adobe in an advertising campaign, using AAU student work, and AAU real estate. This joint campaign was organized months before the cancellations took place. AAU and Adobe are in a public business relationship. It is self-evident and their joint campaign took preparation, well before the theft of our software, and subsequent push towards adopting the very product on the advertisements. This makes the claim of ignorance absurd, and insulting to all involved.
6.) The licenses installed on our computers make no reference to our software being time limited, revocable, or even student editions. We have read them, with lawyers. Again, written, documented proof.
7.) Adobe will not show us proof that the cancellations were valid. They will not produce any documentation or make any public announcements. In fact I have, in writing, from customer support at Adobe, that no such document exists to prove the time limitation of my software - because there isn't such language anywhere.
8.) AAU will not produce any documentation to support their position to force the adoption of Creative Cloud for current,or past students. They will not prove the terms of the licensing contract with Adobe either. The only public announcement that was made offered no details on how they would support us at all, let alone defend our consumer rights.
9.) AAU’s acting director, Sue Rowley, is publicly telling student reps that we, the students, need to support Adobe’s financial model. This is a direct conflict of interest. Her job is to lead our university and support students seeking higher education. She has instead publicly stated her allegiance and support for a billion dollar company’s marketing strategy. She empathizes with it, and went as far as to tell me I should "want" Creative Cloud. This conflict of interest deserves recognition and investigation.
10.) George Brown College also had their CS6 licenses revoked by Adobe in a similar turn of events. That college was able to have the license keys returned to students, after applying pressure to Adobe on behalf of their student body. AAU has been made aware of this fact, and has not replied to it.
11.) Friday August 26th, 2014 AAU was meant to release a statement about “options” for “alumni (only)” which was never released. Licensure was not dependent upon graduation status at the time it was conveyed, making this statement confusing. AAU canceled their plans to finally make a statement (after nearly one month of requests) and we are still left with no answers.
12.) A Creative Cloud subscription will cost 600$ annually, per person, with raises in rates yearly, for life. This unexpected cost is too much for many to bear, putting their livelihoods in risk.

In conclusion:

We had a contract. Adobe (and possibly AAU) broke it. AAU has done nothing to defend us, and may be complicit in our misfortune. Students are being fed information that is not rooted in the facts, or relevant to the simple issue at hand. AAU attempts to distract us with irrelevant topics and details.

We all had software, which people depend on to make a living, and earn an education. It was stolen without warning, and it has not been returned. It was deactivated from personal computers without their consent. People have lost time, money, opportunities, and in a few cases housing as a result.

Don’t get distracted by the spin, or the superfluous details. This is robbery and people have been massively impacted by it – financially, emotionally, and creatively.

Hey guys, we started a formal petition. Please sign it! Adobe (not surprised) won't let me post the link here. Please go to Facebook.com/adobesteals. The link to the change.org petition is there. Thank you!!

This is EXACTLY the same issue I've encountered. It's been a year and a half since I was a student at AAU, and I've been using the CS6 Master Collection that the university issued me without any problems for over two years; when I launched Photoshop last Tuesday morning (September 2nd), I was told that my license key had expired. I first reached out to Adobe support to see about the problem, but they directed me to contact AAU, as the university was considered "point-of-purchase". After contacting AAU, I was told that the license had in fact expired, and that there was nothing more they could do as it was Adobe who had canceled the license key. I then reached back out to Adobe to relay what the Academy had told me, but the support rep gave me the same line about not being able to help because I needed to contact the point-of-purchase. To top it all off, now I can't even get a follow-up response from the Academy!

I too was told at the time that I installed the Master Collection that my license could be used in perpetuity, so the fact that we've all had our keys revoked at the same time and under the same conditions is absolutely unacceptable. And now, having had the buck passed on me between Adobe and AAU, I'm totally at my wits end! I rely on these programs for work, which means that effectively both Adobe and AAU have jeopardized my livelihood, and neither party seems to care one iota. PLEASE, somebody help all of us find a solution to this problem, because I'm all for a class-action suit if nobody does!

Hey there. The Academy of Art, and Adobe, are trying to cancel all the CS6 serial numbers that students were promised, and paid for via tuition. It's a direct violation of the licensing agreement, and both parties are blaming each other for the theft. I know they are canceling the serial numbers in batches, and I think it is an attempt to dampen the public perception. I am also pretty convinced they are doing it at other universities. I am going to organize a class-action lawsuit. This is theft, and coercion, of the highest order.

facebook.com/adobesteals

Please join us. We will only make waves in numbers. Get the word out.

Thank you all for the help and clearing up the cause of these circumstances. Now, I just want to figure out why.

I can understand that when a student graduates, the school will no longer pay for their Creative Cloud, but this is CS6. I can assume that the serial numbers were never perpetual. They were more as a bulk promotional code for a cheaper price.

Another assumption is that these serial numbers were purposely invalidated to force students to upgrade to Creative Cloud. This move would benefit both the school and Adobe, by giving the school a cheaper subscription for all of the students that would upgrade to CC. If the CS6 was already paid for, there would be no reason to do this unless there was a way to get some of that money back.

I don't see an outcome where the students will be happy. If they do somehow give us new serial numbers, what is going to stop this from happening again? Let me know if I'm wrong, but I'm guessing the school is going to say something along the lines of, "Sorry we can't do anything about CS6, but you still can use Creative Cloud."

Exactly what AdobeSuxors said.

info: You are now chatting with Amit. Amit: Hello! Welcome to Adobe Customer Service. Len Kori: Hi Amit: So you are getting a error that the serial number has expired for Master Collection CS6 Amit: Am i correct? Len Kori: yes Amit: May i get the serial number please? Len Kori: I saw a few posts about it on the forum, but this is very recent so, nobody knows the solution Len Kori: sure give me a second Len Kori: ______________________ Amit: Thank you Amit: i have just checked and the serial number is valid . i think you are facing a technical issue here so i have to transfer you to technical support. Len Kori: alright, thank you Amit: Thank you for contacting Adobe.  We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Goodbye! info: Please wait while I transfer the chat to the appropriate group. info: You are now chatting with 'Sanoop' Sanoop: Hello. Welcome to Adobe Technical Support. Sanoop: Hi Len Len Kori: Hi Sanoop Len Kori: Are you already aware of my issue? Sanoop: I understand you are unable to activate your product as getting serial number expired error, is that correct? Len Kori: correct Sanoop: I will be glad to check and provide you the information Len Kori: ok, great. Thank you Sanoop: Len, I am sorry for the miscommunication happened previous. I see that your serial number for MASTER COLLECTION CS6 is expired. Could you please let me know from where you have purchased the product? Len Kori: this was given to me and many other students at the Art Academy of San Francisco Sanoop: Len, In this case you will have to contact Art Academy of San Francisco, to receive a new serial number for MASTER COLLECTION CS6. So that you will be able to activate the product without any issues

That's from my session with customer support

Hey OP,

After talking with Adobe Support Chat, it would appear that the school is incorrect, all of these licenses expired, or are going to expire shortly. You'll need to contact the school again.

Error "The serial number is not valid for this product" | Creative Suite