Licensing Policies
 

Software Sharing and Reassignment

Zemax software requires registration, which is managed through MyZemax. Each License Administrator and End User must have an account with MyZemax, and accounts may not be shared. License Administrators may reassign single-user licenses to a new End User once every 30 days. For network licenses, License Administrators may add and edit End Users at any time, and there is no limit to the number of End Users that may be assigned. To name a new License Administrator, provide a completed Registration Form to sales@zemax.com. For more information on user management, visit the MyZemax FAQ.

Softkey License Information

  • If a license is installed on a physical machine, as is the case with most individual licenses and Zemax License Manager network servers, softkey licenses are tied to the specific hardware of that machine. Before attempting to replace components of your machine or wipe/reinstall your operating system, transfer your license to a different machine. In the event of hardware failure, there is a risk of softkey loss.
  • If an individual license or Zemax License Manager network server and licenses are installed on a virtual machine, softkey licenses are tied to the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or Windows computer name of the virtual machine, rather than the machine hardware. Moving the virtual machine’s physical host location is okay, but you should transfer your license to a different machine before attempting to change the name of your virtual machine.
  • Apple Boot Camp is not currently supported with softkey licenses, but you may contact your account manager to switch to a USB dongle in this case.
     

If you have a failed system motherboard or hard drive, you risk loss of the softkey. See the backup instructions below to prepare for potential hard drive failure. However, if you need a single component such as video card, memory, CD drive, or wireless card replaced, this will not cause a problem with your Zemax license. Also, changing USB and other external devices will not affect the license.

Tips:

  • Do not move your hard drive to a different computer if your computer stops working. This will permanently disable your license.
  • Do not copy (clone) your hard drive to another one. This may disable your license.
  • Do not change your system's motherboard.

To avoid losing your license, you may transfer your license to another computer before replacing hardwar or cloning your hard drive. Follow the guide on this page.  Transfer it back after the computer is working again. If you are using versions of the software after August 2016, you don’t need to complete the transfer onto a second computer. You can simply save the generated transfer code, and re-apply the license to the original machine! 

Routine Windows security updates will not affect your softkey license. However, we recommend backing up your computer regularly, in case any updates cause a operating system failure.

If you are upgrading to a new version of Windows (Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 for example), it may not preserve your softkey, depending on the install option you choose. Similarly, If you need to erase your hard drive and reinstall Windows, be aware that your software license will be removed as well. Windows 8 and 10 also offer a “Refresh” or “Reset” option to repair the operating system, which is similar to wiping your hard drive and reinstalling (but does not require a CD / USB boot disk). 

Tips:

  • Do not upgrade from one Windows version to another (Windows 7 to 8 or 10 for example)
  • Do not reinstall or "Reset" your existing Windows installation

To avoid losing your license, you may transfer your license to another computer prior to a reinstall or upgrade. Follow the guide on this page.  Transfer it back after the computer is working again. If you are using versions of the software after August 2016, you don’t need to complete the transfer onto a second computer. You can simply save the generated transfer code, and re-apply the license to the original machine!

Be aware that backing up just your documents will not backup your software license, as the license is embedded in Windows.

You can backup Windows to an image file using software such as Macrium Reflect, TrueImage, or Windows Backup. We have verified that restoring an image to the same computer will preserve your softkey. If your original hard drive fails, you can also restore to the same computer that has a different hard drive.

Tips:

  • Do not restore a backup of a hard drive to a different computer or machine with a different motherboard. Your license will be disabled. 
  • You must update your backup image if your softkey license is transferred away and back to the computer again so it has the latest information. Otherwise it may not be able to be transferred away again. 

After restoring your backup, verify your Zemax software is working. Even if it is, you should check your license status. Open the Sentinel Admin Control Center in a web browser. The address is http://localhost:1947. Go to the “Sentinel Keys” tab. The license should look something like this:


If the status mentions “cloned” or another error in red, first review the article "How to troubleshoot softkey license issues." If you still need help contact Zemax Support for assistance. Please include the exact error you are getting, or include a screenshot, and any information you can provide about what led to the problem.

 

Replacing a Lost or Stolen License

Any consideration for key exchanges or replacements as described below requires that the license has a current maintenance contract (also known as "support") to be eligible. To file a claim for one of the situations below, email sales@zemax.com. When Zemax replaces your license, you agree to deactivate/return the original license if it is ever recovered. Zemax reserves the right to revoke licenses for customers who inappropriately file for key replacement.
 

A hardkey that is not working for any reason will be exchanged at no cost. The damaged USB dongle must be returned to Zemax before a key exchange will be issued.

For subscription licenses, the first hardkey loss can be replaced for $200.00 US. The second hardkey loss may be replaced for 20% of the list price for the remaining subscription term. Subsequent losses are not covered and may be replaced by payment of the full cost of the remaining subscription term.

In some cases, a softkey can be reactivated on a computer that has experienced hardware or software failure. If a softkey license cannot be recovered from a machine with hardware or software failure or the machine was lost/stolen, a replacement license will be issued at no cost if the user purchased a software subscription license. The license may be replaced a second time for 20% of the cost of the remaining license term. Subsequent losses are not covered and may be replaced by payment of the full cost of the remaining subscription term.

If the computer on which a softkey is activated is lost or stolen, a replacement license will be issued at no cost if the user purchased a software subscription license. The license may be replaced a second time for 20% of the standard list price for the remaining subscription term. Subsequent losses are not covered and may be replaced by payment of the full cost of the remaining subscription term.

Protecting Your License with Zemax Productivity Assurance

OpticStudio is licensed on a perpetual basis via either a soft key or a hard key (USB) which controls access to the software. The license is worth the full value of the software. It is recommended that you insure your license for its full value with an independent party or through purchase of Zemax Productivity Assurance (ZPA). 

ZPA is included in the first year of the purchase price of OpticStudio Premium and is optional each year thereafter. It is optional when purchasing or renewing OpticStudio Standard or Professional licenses. ZPA lasts for the length of your software maintenance plan (one year).
  • For hardkey licenses, ZPA includes a one-time key replacement at 80% off the current price if the license is physically lost or stolen.
  • For softkey licenses, ZPA includes a one-time free key replacement if the license is lost due to hardware failure. A second request can be filed within the same period for 80% off the standard price.
  • Customers who purchase ZPA also receive 20% off one Zemax training course of your choice from our published course schedule. This discount can be used again each year that ZPA is purchased. 

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Softkey License Information

  • If a license is installed on a physical machine, as is the case with most individual licenses and Zemax License Manager network servers, softkey licenses are tied to the specific hardware of that machine. Before attempting to replace components of your machine or wipe/reinstall your operating system, transfer your license to a different machine. In the event of hardware failure, there is a risk of softkey loss.
  • If an individual license or Zemax License Manager network server and licenses are installed on a virtual machine, softkey licenses are tied to the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) or Windows computer name of the virtual machine, rather than the machine hardware. Moving the virtual machine’s physical host location is okay, but you should transfer your license to a different machine before attempting to change the name of your virtual machine.
  • Apple Boot Camp is not currently supported with softkey licenses, but you may contact your account manager to switch to a USB dongle in this case.
     

If you have a failed system motherboard or hard drive, you risk loss of the softkey. See the backup instructions below to prepare for potential hard drive failure. However, if you need a single component such as video card, memory, CD drive, or wireless card replaced, this will not cause a problem with your Zemax license. Also, changing USB and other external devices will not affect the license.

Tips:

  • Do not move your hard drive to a different computer if your computer stops working. This will permanently disable your license.
  • Do not copy (clone) your hard drive to another one. This may disable your license.
  • Do not change your system's motherboard.

To avoid losing your license, you may transfer your license to another computer before replacing hardwar or cloning your hard drive. Follow the guide on this page.  Transfer it back after the computer is working again. If you are using versions of the software after August 2016, you don’t need to complete the transfer onto a second computer. You can simply save the generated transfer code, and re-apply the license to the original machine! 

Routine Windows security updates will not affect your softkey license. However, we recommend backing up your computer regularly, in case any updates cause a operating system failure.

If you are upgrading to a new version of Windows (Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10 for example), it may not preserve your softkey, depending on the install option you choose. Similarly, If you need to erase your hard drive and reinstall Windows, be aware that your software license will be removed as well. Windows 8 and 10 also offer a “Refresh” or “Reset” option to repair the operating system, which is similar to wiping your hard drive and reinstalling (but does not require a CD / USB boot disk). 

Tips:

  • Do not upgrade from one Windows version to another (Windows 7 to 8 or 10 for example)
  • Do not reinstall or "Reset" your existing Windows installation

To avoid losing your license, you may transfer your license to another computer prior to a reinstall or upgrade. Follow the guide on this page.  Transfer it back after the computer is working again. If you are using versions of the software after August 2016, you don’t need to complete the transfer onto a second computer. You can simply save the generated transfer code, and re-apply the license to the original machine!

Be aware that backing up just your documents will not backup your software license, as the license is embedded in Windows.

You can backup Windows to an image file using software such as Macrium Reflect, TrueImage, or Windows Backup. We have verified that restoring an image to the same computer will preserve your softkey. If your original hard drive fails, you can also restore to the same computer that has a different hard drive.

Tips:

  • Do not restore a backup of a hard drive to a different computer or machine with a different motherboard. Your license will be disabled. 
  • You must update your backup image if your softkey license is transferred away and back to the computer again so it has the latest information. Otherwise it may not be able to be transferred away again. 

After restoring your backup, verify your Zemax software is working. Even if it is, you should check your license status. Open the Sentinel Admin Control Center in a web browser. The address is http://localhost:1947. Go to the “Sentinel Keys” tab. The license should look something like this:


If the status mentions “cloned” or another error in red, first review the article "How to troubleshoot softkey license issues." If you still need help contact Zemax Support for assistance. Please include the exact error you are getting, or include a screenshot, and any information you can provide about what led to the problem.

 

Replacing a Lost or Stolen License

Any consideration for key exchanges or replacements as described below requires that the license has a current maintenance contract (also known as "support") to be eligible. To file a claim for one of the situations below, email sales@zemax.com. When receiving a key replacement from Zemax, you agree to deactivate/return the original license if it is ever recovered. Zemax reserves the right to revoke licenses for customers who inappropriately file for key replacement.
 

A hardkey that is not working for any reason will be exchanged at no cost. The damaged USB dongle must be returned to Zemax before a key exchange will be issued. Contact sales@zemax.com for instructions on exchanging your key.

If a hardkey is lost or stolen, a one-time replacement license will be issued at 20% of the list price for a new license if the user purchased Zemax Productivity Assurance (ZPA).

Without ZPA, a new license must be purchased at full list price.

In some cases, a softkey can be reactivated on a computer that has experienced hardware or software failure. If a softkey license cannot be recovered from a machine with hardware or software failure or the machine was lost/stolen, a replacement license will be issued at no cost if the user purchased Zemax Productivity Assurance (ZPA). A second request can be filed within the same period for 20% of the cost of the list price.


Without ZPA, a new license must be purchased at full list price.

If the computer on which a softkey is activated is lost or stolen, a replacement license will be issued at no cost if the user purchased Zemax Productivity Assurance (ZPA) with a perpetual license. A second request can be filed within the same period for 20% of the cost of list price.


For perpetual licenses without ZPA, a new license must be purchased at full list price.