Why is the register key associated to a language?

sbrx wrote on 3/28/2025, 9:52 AM

I just bought Vegas Pro 22 from the official website. I want it in English, but because I live in Portugal, I had to buy it from the Portuguese webpage. I tried buying the product from the English website, but it's region-locked. I still went ahead, thinking there would be a way - turns out that there isn't.

The software asks the language when installing - I chose English for all. Everything went fine until the activation. All other products activated just fine in English, but Vegas didn't. I reinstalled in Portuguese and it worked. Why is this even a thing? Why does the software ask me the language then?

The Portuguese used isn't even my real language - I'm from Portugal but the language used is Brazilian Portuguese. Nevermind being shoveled Brazillian Portuguese in my face - that's just how the market works - but to be locked into activating a software bought in my country for another language is insane.

In the end it's my own fault for going ahead with the purchase - we should vote with our wallet. But if they just disabled this region lock for keys, none of this would be an actual problem.

Comments

RogerS wrote on 3/28/2025, 11:20 AM

That's strange, the English and Portuguese installer appears to be the same here: https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/faq-where-can-i-download-vegas-pro-and-other-vegas-software--104782/

sbrx wrote on 3/28/2025, 11:35 AM

Yeah, I've used that, but when it gets to the registering, it doesn't allow to activate unless it's Brazilian Portuguese.

VEGASDerek wrote on 3/28/2025, 7:27 PM

Licenses purchased in Portugal and Brazil are language locked...so it will revert to Portuguese.

sbrx wrote on 3/28/2025, 7:29 PM

Yes, but why? Why can't languages be changed as necessary?

VEGASDerek wrote on 3/28/2025, 9:01 PM

It has to do with pricing and distribution deals in those markets.

sbrx wrote on 3/29/2025, 10:57 AM

It has to do with pricing and distribution deals in those markets.

No, that still doesn't make sense. I paid what amounts to 236 dollars in Euros. In the US website, it costs 219 dollars. So I get shafted with a higher price and no possibility to change the language.

Reyfox wrote on 3/30/2025, 1:00 PM

In the US, they aren't saddled with that horrid VAT the those that live in Europe have to pay. I am originally from the US and when I look at the prices of computer hardware here, or any electronic gear, I get sick in my stomach knowing that the cost in the States is much less. The same with camera gear. Price anything here in the EU and then go to B&H Photo and see what the prices are. Yeah... you'll get sick too.

So when I go Stateside, you know what I bring back...

It's a good thing that my main bank account is in the States.

RogerS wrote on 3/30/2025, 7:37 PM

It has to do with pricing and distribution deals in those markets.

No, that still doesn't make sense. I paid what amounts to 236 dollars in Euros. In the US website, it costs 219 dollars. So I get shafted with a higher price and no possibility to change the language.

Language locking of cheap Brazilian versions makes some sense to me but locking expensive European versions does not.

sbrx wrote on 3/31/2025, 5:55 AM

Alright, credit where credit is due, Customer Support fixed my "issue" this morning by providing me with an English serial number. I can now use the software in the language I want. I wish they solve this in the future, though.