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Participant
September 9, 2014
Answered

CS6 Master Collection Serial Key Expired???

  • September 9, 2014
  • 10 replies
  • 39035 views

I've been using this for 2 years now and all the sudden today it pops up that the serial has expired?? This is supposed to be a lifelong copy what the heck Adobe? I've got designs to make for freelance contracts! Fix this please. Between my fiancee and myself we own 2 master collections and a web premium, not to mention I run the graphics department of a nationwide home improvement chain. The sooner this can be fixed the better. Please and thank you. (Love your products just very surprised/annoyed by this.)

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer zabadoohp

Yeah I got it from the Academy of Art University. Contacted them and they said it had a 'validity'. When I asked to define that they said it expires. So looks like it's off to call the school


**Update**

Upon logging into the student portal it appears they are switching to giving away creative cloud memberships, so looks like I'll be upgrading to that. Problem solved I guess, but now I wonder if I'll have that software after graduation or not :S

10 replies

Participating Frequently
October 16, 2014

Lots of silence going on here. Any updates on getting these licenses restored?

slnelson123
Participant
October 16, 2014

When CS6 prompted me for my login information I complied. That seemed to open the apps again, but for how long, I wonder. <kirkmode>But. For. How. Long.</kirkmode>.

Jeffrey_A_Wright
Community Manager
Community Manager
October 16, 2014

We regret the recent confusion regarding the Academy of Art University (AAU) and Adobe’s software term usage agreement for Adobe’s Creative Suite applications.

Under the current contract between AAU and Adobe, Creative Suite software licenses are valid for the period of enrollment at AAU only.

As a courtesy to recent Academy graduates and alumni, AAU is providing a license extension of Adobe Creative Suite 6 (CS6) to students who attended AAU between May 1, 2012 and September 1, 2014, and received a CS6 license during that period of time. This license extension is being offered free of charge and will be valid through December 31, 2015.  There is also an option to purchase a first-year discounted version of the new Adobe Creative Cloud membership.

Please call the AAU online helpdesk at 1-888-431-2787 for more information/assistance.

Known Participant
September 29, 2014

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.

Participating Frequently
September 29, 2014

pixelbruin Thanks for keeping us all in the loop!

Known Participant
September 26, 2014

George Brown U advocated for their students, and Adobe restored their stolen software. Will Adobe be treating the students from other universities the same way? If not, why? Adobe? I hear nothing but crickets... how about a reply?

Participant
September 23, 2014

It seems that I am in a very alike situation. After a one year subscription (student) scheme to CC, I've bought the CS6... which invites me to renew my subscription to the cloud, barring me to use any of the apps (apart from Acrobat).

Participant
September 22, 2014

i've having the same issue. I'm trying to work to school but the license was expired.

What should I do?

the best

Jeffrey_A_Wright
Community Manager
Community Manager
September 22, 2014

Joao Mota if your license was provided by your school then it would be best to continue working with them.  If you purchased a student and teacher license from Adobe directly then please do not hesitate to contact our support team at Contact Customer Care.

Known Participant
September 21, 2014

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!!

Participating Frequently
September 16, 2014

I spoke with Adobe about this, who suggested that I contact the school since it was out of their control. So then I tweeted AAU (they were unresponsive to email), in which they said:

"Adobe has, unfortunately, dropped the licenses for CS6. This is Adobe's product and is beyond AAU control."

(Link to OP)

So Adobe says it's on AAU, and AAU says it's on Adobe. I paid a lot of money for this license up front with my tuition, so will it be possible to at very least get a reimbursement for what this software cost me initially? Or a free subscription to CC for a while? It seems pretty odd to me that a serial number (that's not a subscription) would simply expire for no reason, especially when an end date was never suggested. What would have happened if I hadn't registered my product with Adobe?

Jeffrey_A_Wright
Community Manager
Community Manager
September 16, 2014

Dansaysno expiring serial numbers are often provided by educational institutions.  It does often cause confusion for the individual since they are not always clear that an expiring serial number was purchased from Adobe on the individuals behalf.  It is also not possible for a serial number to gain an expiration after it was issued.  The serial numbers which I have reviewed did have a set expiration date of 9/1/14.  I am very sorry for any confusion this has caused.

We do not currently offer a Student and Teacher Edition of Creative Suite 6 in most regions.  We do however have a discounted membership plan available for Students and Teachers to the Creative Cloud.  You can find more details at Adobe Creative Cloud for students and teachers | Adobe.

Known Participant
September 16, 2014

Show him in his licensing agreement where it says there will be an expiration. Prove it. Likewise, our University has already told us they were never set to expire. Adobe has modified the agreement unilaterally.  It won't stand up in court.

Facebook.com/adobesteals

Participant
September 16, 2014

I'm also a photography student at AAU and my CS6 key has expired also.  I could have swore they raised tution because they were providing the software.  Once we graduate and the year is up on creative cloud we will not have software unless we purchase it.  I would rather stay with CS 6 thing go to creative cloud.

Jeffrey_A_Wright
Community Manager
Community Manager
September 16, 2014

Kay Tee the serial numbers I have reviewed were expiring serial numbers.  You will want to continue to work with your educational institution if the expectation was set that they were providing you a perpetual license to utilize Adobe Creative software.

Known Participant
September 10, 2014

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.

bushwacker
Participating Frequently
September 11, 2014

This was briefly posted on my AAU user page on the morning of Sept. 10. By the afternoon it was removed but not before I cut and pasted it:

Hello Academy of Art University Alumni,

  We understand that some of you have been experiencing problems with your Adobe CS6 license key. Please note, we have confirmed with Adobe that your serial numbers were not supposed to expire. We are working diligently alongside our partners at Adobe to rectify the issue as quickly as possible.

   Thank you for your patience,
  Academy of Art University Alumni Association


The fact that it was removed by the afternoon suggests "foul play", yes?


I sent an email to the online help link and have not had a response. I called the Alumni Association and the person that answered would not let me speak to anyone who would know anything about it. She just said she would get an answer and get back to me. She also said she did not know anything about the posting. This whole thing is getting more suspect each day it goes on.

Ned Murphy
Legend
September 9, 2014

You will need to contact Adobe support to have a case created for this.  Try accessing them thru chat.  If this happens to involve an educational version there has been something up the last few days.

Creative Cloud support (all Creative Cloud customer service issues)

http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/service-ccm.html ( http://adobe.ly/19llvMN )

zabadoohpAuthorCorrect answer
Participant
September 9, 2014

Yeah I got it from the Academy of Art University. Contacted them and they said it had a 'validity'. When I asked to define that they said it expires. So looks like it's off to call the school


**Update**

Upon logging into the student portal it appears they are switching to giving away creative cloud memberships, so looks like I'll be upgrading to that. Problem solved I guess, but now I wonder if I'll have that software after graduation or not :S

Ned Murphy
Legend
September 9, 2014

Probably not.  The Cloud is subscription-based and it is unlikely you will have the school paying for your subscription for a lifetime unless you work for them.