Q: Can I use licensed components on a build server?

A: Your ComponentOne subscription allows you to activate your serial key on up to three development machines. This is intended to include any build machines that you may use in your development cycle. If multiple developers share the same build machine, only one needs to activate it with their key.

To license a build machine or server you must install the ComponentOne controls on the machine by either the C1ControlPanel installer or NuGet. That will install the MESCIUS License Manager tool (gclm.exe) that must be run to activate your serial key on the build machine. See Activating a Serial Key.

Q: How is ComponentOne Studio Enterprise licensed?

A: ComponentOne Studio Enterprise and its other Editions are licensed per developer. This includes anyone who uses ComponentOne components and controls to create and compile projects in Microsoft's Visual Studio. If someone wants to work with the code that a component or control has created, they need to have a license.

There are no limits on the distribution of applications—unlimited, royalty-free, run-time distribution. The licensing only affects design time.

Q: What is the difference between the Subscription and the License?

A: When you purchase the license, you receive a free one-year subscription that entitles you to the latest version of the software. The license is perpetual and does not expire; the subscription runs year to year. If you choose not to renew, you can still use the software as is; you just won't have access to the latest version.

Q: What is activation?

A: Activation is used by MESCIUS to verify the authenticity of the serial key used to license the software. It also ensures that keys are only used to license an approved number of machines. Activation is performed using the GrapeCity License Manager (gclm.exe). The activation process does not collect any personal information aside from IP address, city, country, machine name and operating system.

Q: What is the difference in the serial keys?

A: Beginning July 2020, MESCIUS distributes serial numbers that are 19 characters long. These serial keys must be activated using the MESCIUS License Manager (gclm.exe). From February 2008 to July 2020, MESCIUS distributed serial keys that were 28 characters long. Prior to February 2008, the serial keys were 17 characters. All serial keys distributed prior to July 2020 must be activated in the C1LicenseActivation Tool. New serial keys can still be used with older versions of MESCIUS and ComponentOne products, and vice versa. See License Old Products with New Serial Key.

Q: Can I still license new controls with an old serial number?

A: If you have an old style key, you need to use C1LicenseActivation. But once you activate your old key through C1LicenseActivation, you will still be able to use new versions of ComponentOne controls so long as you’re within the subscription window. See Activating an Old Serial Key.

Q: I have an expired license on my machine and my controls did not activate properly. What do I do?

A: Run the MESCIUS License Manager tool and deactivate your serial key by selecting Deactivate option. This removes the existing license. Once this is done, you can activate your product by pressing the Activate option in the GrapeCity License Manager tool.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of activations I can use for a single serial key?

A: The default limit is set to three (3) activations, i.e., the developer's machine, a laptop and build machine.

Q: Is any personal information collected/submitted during the activation process?

A: No. The activation process does not collect any personal information aside from IP address, city, country, machine name and operating system.

Q: What happens if I have used all of the activations I am allowed and I need to activate another computer?

A: You can deactivate a computer using the MESCIUS License Manager tool by selecting Deactivate option. This removes the existing license. Once a computer has been deactivated, you may activate another using the same MESCIUS License Manager tool and selecting the Activate option. If you cannot deactivate any of your current computers, you will need to purchase additional licenses.

For activating keys dynamically with build agents, see Licensing Applications On Docker with Pipeline.

Q: I want to activate products on a machine that does not have an internet connection. What do I do?

A: See Offline Activation.

Q: If I am redistributing ComponentOne controls in my application, do my users need to use activation?

A: No. Only the developers who are installing ComponentOne controls for use in development projects need to activate their controls.