iLok Authorization and iLok.com Information


Information about the iLok authorization system and video tutorials about how to use iLok.com for electronic license deposits and transfer to an iLok.

Additional iLok Information, Links, Related Documents



What Is An iLok & Why Would I Need One?


   


Digidesign has transitioned all of our plug-in software copy protection from floppy drive based key disks to copy protection authorizations that reside on the iLok technology provide by PACE. The following is some information about iLok technology.

The iLok USB Hardware Key (pictured here) is a device that holds authorization keys and connects via the USB port to your computer.

The iLok USB Hardware Key enables you to carry all of your authorizations with you wherever you go using a single key:
  • It's Portable: iLok enables you to easily move authorizations from one computer to another. Use your software at home, at the office, at a studio, or at a friend's house. iLok makes it portable.
  • It's Safe: Authorizations are stored in the secure iLok USB Hardware Key — not on the computer or hard drive. iLok is immune to problems caused by machine upgrades, disk maintenance, hardware failures, and software updates.
  • It's Convenient: Store all of your iLok-enabled software authorizations on a single iLok USB Hardware Key, regardless of developer

Using iLok.com & Electronic iLok License Transfers



Many products that are sold online can be purchased as web-only electronic licenses to activate optional plug-ins and software installed from web downloads or your Pro Tools CD. These include many plug-ins and optional software products sold as "Full License" or time-limited "Rental" licenses available on the DigiStore. For these electronic licenses, no iLok License Card is included or required. Licenses are purchased online, deposited to your iLok.com account, and then transferred to your iLok. This is a quick and easy process that allows you to purchase products online and use them immediately.

Many new boxed versions of iLok-enabled software products from Digidesign include an activation card with instructions on how to authorize your iLok using the Digidesign website. With these products, an Activation Code is used to deposit the licenses to your account on iLok.com.

What is my iLok User ID?
If you have not already done so, you would create a free iLok.com account yourself at iLok.com. Once you create an account there, your iLok User ID is what you use to login to your account on iLok.com (not your login password, which you also choose). Your iLok.com User ID is sometimes referred to as your "iLok ID", "iLok User ID", or "iLok Account". All of these are the same thing, your login name at iLok.com.

Your iLok.com User ID is NOT printed on your iLok.
Your iLok User ID is not the manufacturing part number or the serial number printed on your iLok. You would choose your own iLok.com User ID and whatever password you want. If you have already created an account on ilok.com, but have forgotten your password to that account, there is a "password reminder" link on the login page.

iLok.com Help
If you are having problems with your iLok or iLok.com, or just want more information about how to use iLok.com, this is the place to get help:

Additional Notes



Challenge/Response Authorization
Digidesign and Digi-distributed plug-ins and software that require an iLok authorization do not use the challenge/response authorization method. Although you may see a screen giving a challenge code, that is a message generated by the PACE license software if an authorized iLok is not present, and cannot be used with iLok-authorized Digidesign and Digi-distributed plug-ins and software.

Pro Tools 7 Plug-ins Trial Licenses
A new system to obtain trial licenses for many Digidesign plug-ins for Pro Tools 7 is now available on the website. Trial mode lets you try this software on your system before purchasing it. To activate a time-limited trial license for this software, you must have an iLok and a valid iLok.com User ID. Please Note: Trial licenses are not available for every plug-in, most non-plug-in software options, or the Pro Tools application.

To obtain your trial license using the online activation process:
  • Go to the Pro Tools Plug-Ins product section
  • Select the page for the Digidesign, Digidesign/Bomb Factory, Digidesign/Trillium Lane Labs, or other Digi-distributed plug-ins you are interested in trying.
  • Go to the download section for each plug-in
  • Click the link that says [Activate Now]
  • Enter your iLok.com User ID
  • If you have not previously tried the plug-in, the time-limited trial license will be deposited to your iLok account

Removing Optional Plug-Ins & Software
If you have installed optional plug-ins or software that you did not purchase and you do not have a permanent or trial iLok license to use them, you can remove these items using the instructions on the following page:

iLok and Pro Tools Q & A



Q: Do you need to have an iLok to use Pro Tools?
A: Pro Tools HD 7, Pro Tools M-Powered, and Pro Tools Academic (for M-Audio interfaces) are the only versions of Pro Tools that require an iLok authorization for the Pro Tools application and included DigiRack plug-ins. Pro Tools|HD Core hardware systems, Pro Tools M-Powered software, and Pro Tools Academic software all include an iLok USB key. The Pro Tools M-Powered and Pro Tools Academic purchases include a pre-authorized iLok with the Pro Tools authorization already on the iLok.

Pro Tools LE (all versions) and Pro Tools TDM 6.x use serial code authorization for the Pro Tools application and the included DigiRack plug-ins. On those systems, you only need an iLok to authorize optional Digidesign and Digidesign-distributed Development Partner plug-ins and software options on Pro Tools TDM and LE systems running 6.0 and higher software.

Software options such as Music Production Toolkit, DV Toolkit, DV Toolkit 2, DigiTranslator, and MachineControl require an iLok for authorization (iLok sold separately from the software options).

Check with third-party developers for their Mac OS X authorization method. (floppy authorizations will not work on Mac OS X, regardless of manufacturer)

Q: Do you need to already have an iLok USB key to register for an iLok.com account?
A: No, you can register for an iLok.com account, and then register individual iLok USB keys at a later date. However, if you do already have your iLok, you do need to have at least one iLok Key registered on your iLok.com account in order to receive iLok.com asset/authorization deposits from Digidesign Customer Service. If no iLok has been registered on the account Digidesign Customer Service will not be able to tell if the account exists.

Q: Does the Pro Tools system need to be connected to the Internet in order to receive assets/authorizations via iLok.com?
A: No. You can download assets to an iLok Key from any Internet-connected computer with a USB port and one of the following operating systems: Mac OS 9.2 or later, and Mac OS X v10.1.5 and later. For Windows you need Windows98, ME, 2000 or XP. You can then use those downloaded iLok authorizations on any Pro Tools system. However, the Internet-connected computer must have the iLok Client Software application installed, which is provided as a download when registering for an iLok.com account.

Q: What platforms support iLok.com?
A: iLok.com supports Macintosh and Windows. On Macintosh, OS 9.2 and OS X 10.3.9 or higher are supported. The Windows version supports Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP. iLok.com supports most common web browsers, including Safari and Internet Explorer v5.0 or greater on Mac and Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater on Windows. The iLok Client Software, required to use iLok.com, can be downloaded by registered users. You can use your home computer, a friend's computer or office Internet connection to access iLok.com.

Q: What platforms does the iLok USB Hardware Key work on?
A: iLok is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows. You need a computer with a USB port and one of the following operating systems: Mac OS 8.6 or later (including Mac OS X), Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or Window XP.

Q: Can I use iLok.com on my Intel-based Mac?
A: Yes. The iLok.com website was updated on July 29, 2006. New features with this version include:
  • Support for more web browsers, including Firefox for Windows.
  • Native support for Intel-based Macintosh computers.
  • Automated recovery from any license download or transfer problem.

Q: What should I do if my iLok stops working?
A: Please confirm that the iLok Key is plugged into a working USB port and that the light on the iLok Key is on. For more information, go to iLok.com and click on the Help section of the iLok.com website. You will need to create an iLok.com account (for free) in order to use the website.

For replacement of a broken or defective iLok Key, regardless of which authorizations it contains, customers will need to follow the iLok RMA process (Return Merchandise Authorization) as detailed in the Help section on the iLok.com website.

If a customer needs to send their iLok to PACE for replacement, Digidesign Customer Service will accommodate them with temporary 30 day authorizations for all of their registered Digidesign plug-ins. Customers can purchase a blank iLok from their local Digidesign dealer or the online DigiStore to register to their iLok.com account. Digidesign will then deposit the necessary temporary assets to the customer's iLok.com account. These temporary authorizations expire 30 days after they are first deposited on your iLok.com user account.

Q: Are iLok Keys included with plug-in purchases?
A: Individual plug-ins do not include an iLok Key. In order to authorize a plug-in via iLok.com or using iLok License Cards, you must have an iLok Key. The iLok Key is included with some Pro Tools systems (see below) and can be purchased separately from Digidesign Dealers or online from the Digidesign Web Store.

Exceptions:
  • 003 Factory, 003 Rack Factory, Mbox 2 Pro Factory, Mbox 2 Factory, Digi 002 Factory, Digi 002 Rack Factory, and Mbox Factory hardware & software bundled products include a pre-authorized iLok with the Factory Software Bundle. See the Pro Tools LE Products section for more information about plug-ins included with the Factory bundles:
  • Purchases of the Producer Factory and Producer Factory Pro bundles DO NOT include an iLok.
  • Pro Tools M-Powered software for M-Audio hardware includes a pre-authorized red iLok with the Pro Tools M-Powered software authorization.
  • Pro Tools Academic software for M-Audio hardware includes a pre-authorized iLok with the Pro Tools Academic software authorization.
  • Pro Tools|HD and HD Accel systems with the HDpack v6.0 and higher include a pre-authorized iLok with the HDpack software, or an online activation for the HDpack plug-ins beginning in 2006.
  • Pro Tools|HD and HD Accel systems with HDpack v1.0 through v5.0 include a blank HD iLok and license cards with the HDpack authorizations

Q: I have more than one iLok Key. Is there a way to combine authorizations onto a single Key to free up a USB port?
A: Yes! With the new features of v2.0 at iLok.com, you can now move authorizations from any iLok Key in your iLok account to any other iLok key on that account. You can arrange your licenses in anyway you like on your multiple iLoks. If you wish to use multiple iLoks, purchasing a powered USB hub will allow you to employ multiple iLok Keys if you do not currently have additional USB ports available on your system.

Q: Which USB port should I plug the iLok Key into?
A: The iLok Key should work in any available USB port on your system; this includes the ports on Apple USB keyboards. However, some users have reported problems with their computer failing to recognize the iLok Key when installed in an Apple keyboard port. If you experience this problem, insert the iLok Key into one of the available USB ports on the CPU, or use a powered USB hub.

Q: Can I assign a password to my iLok?
A: Digidesign does not support assigning passwords to an iLok Key. You will not be able to register your iLok at iLok.com if it has been password protected.

If you attempt to use this feature, you should document your password. Make sure not to lose it as there is no way to reset the password without returning the iLok to PACE. If you lose your password, you will need to arrange for this with PACE using the RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) Form located in the Help section at iLok.com — in order to get an RMA number. PACE charges $10.00 plus shipping to remove the password from your iLok and return it.

Q: How can I update my floppy authorized plug-ins to iLok authorized versions?
A: Please see this page in the Support Archives:
iLok Information - Page 2 - Legacy Upgrades & Updates


About iLok License Cards



Some boxed versions of iLok-enabled software products ship with an iLok License Card in the box. About the same size as a credit card, an iLok License Card holds authorization using the same "Smart Card" technology used on GSM cell phones and American Express cards. The chip on the iLok License Card contains the authorization license necessary to activate and run the software you purchased.

Here's an example of an iLok license card:


    

iLok License Card with GSM format license chip detached and ready for iLok authorization:

   














Simply insert the GSM format license chip into the iLok when prompted by the software:


    







The license will be transferred from the card to your iLok, and your iLok will now be authorized for the software. For more information, see the iLok Usage Guide.
Downloads    
iLok Usage Guide v8.0 (PDF)
1.77 MB
 Download
iLok Usage Guide - Japanese
0.92 MB
 Download
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