Consumers Purchasing Hyperdesk’s Transformative Windows XP-based
Desktop Themes Will Find Installations Less Restrictive and DRM-free
COOPER CITY, Fla. – (November 11, 2008) – The Skins Factory, a global leader in user interface design, has announced their popular Windows XP transformation software product, Hyperdesk is now being distributed completely DRM-free when purchased on The Skins Factory’s Hyperdesk website at www.hyperdesk.com
Hyperdesk has been using an outstanding third-party software solution to handle all license key activations. However, effective immediately, all Hyperdesk themes sold on the Hyperdesk website will be completely DRM-free. No key needed.
Consumers should be aware that DRM-free does not mean “free”. The consumer will still pay to “license” the software and for the right to use it on their personal computers, however they may not distribute the product to a third-party. Consumers who purchase these world-class Windows XP desktop themes will not need to be connected to the internet to activate the software except to download it. The Skins Factory will continue to use the world-class licensing solution for retail products and third-party resellers, but those products will include an installation limit for up to 5 personally owned PCs.
An outline of the new Hyperdesk policy benefits/changes include:
• No license activation software included with the Hyperdesk theme installers if purchased at Hyperdesk.com or through one of Hyperdesk’s affiliates’ websites
• Unlimited installations on personally owned PCs, however product may not be distributed to others
• No internet connection needed to install Hyperdesk products except for the initial download
• Refunds will be more strict due to the lack of ability to deactivate license keys
• A price increase of all single Hyperdesk themes from $9.95 USD to $14.95 USD
• $14.95 USD is the current price point of all third-party branded themes
• For tech support, order numbers, user names and the user email address will still be needed in the Hyperdesk support forums and for Support Ticket Submissions
“As the CEO of a company with a software product, I absolutely understand the train of thought that many software publishers have about protecting their investment and products. On the other hand, as a consumer, I personally feel that DRM normally just ends up punishing honest users, while those who would steal the software have far less restrictions than legitimate end-users. We will still be utilizing licensing protocols when the need arises, but we don’t feel that if an end-user pays for our product, that someone who steals our software should have fewer restrictions than the person who plays by the rules. It’s because of this, that all purchases on our Hyperdesk website will function as ‘no key needed’ software,” says Jeff Schader, CEO of The Skins Factory,Inc.
A sample of one of Hyperdesk’s latest Windows XP desktop themes
For prior Hyperdesk product purchases, The Skins Factory will offer a “trade-in” for consumers still using the products with the license key activation software. “We’re not going to leave our loyal customers high and dry,” says Mr. Schader. “They can contact us via support channels located on our website, and as long as they have their complete order information available, they’ll be issued new “no key needed” installers to use.”
For the increase in freedom and value, The Skins Factory hopes that the consumer will respect the non-distribution policy. For more information on Hyperdesk Desktop themes visit www.hyperdesk.com
About Skins Factory:
Founded in 2000, The Skins Factory is one of the world’s most sought-after user interface design studios. With a loyal client-base comprised of Fortune 100/500 companies, The Skins Factory has become the de-facto user interface provider to the giants of the technology and entertainment industries - Microsoft, Disney, Warner Bros., HP, Yahoo! and many others. Through a potent combination of conceptual innovation and pixel-perfect attention-to-detail, they continue to attract industry heavyweights and delight tens of millions of end-users worldwide.
The Skins Factory’s services include: application user interface design, brand identity creation, icon development, promotional skin development and Windows desktop theme design. For more information: www.TheSkinsFactory.com or call 954.252.1786.
About Hyperdesk:
Hyperdesk is an exciting new platform from the talented design team at The Skins Factory which allows users worldwide to transform the appearance of their regular Windows XP desktop and immerse themselves in an entirely new user experience. Comprised of both licensed and original content, a complete desktop theme known as a “hypersuite” delivers an endless array of vibrant new themes, skins, wallpapers, widgets and other applications directly to the desktop with a single click.
For more information: www.hyperdesk.com or call 954.252.1786.
