What's with the license palaver?

Hi Guys,

I've been playing around with the Altera Quartus II software for a while now, and have got to the stage where my license needs to be renewed.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think it's great that you provide free software.

But then, without that software the user couldn't program the devices, and no device programming means no device sales! So at heart presumably Altera give us the software so we will buy their devices. So that being said, why the complication with licenses? I can understand you might want to see how many people are using the software, and other facts, and that's fine, but why make it so awkward?

Now in my case, I have a couple of designs that I am working on, but they are long term projects which I am fitting in with my other work. I am probably not the client you want, but eventually I might get my act together and buy some devices. But my problem is having the time to realise some pretty complex designs. And I realise I have been playing with these designs for a couple of years now.

Sorry guys, but I promise I will get on to it!

Anyway, this is hopefully a thought starter. What do the rest of you think?

P.S My designs take existing hardware and software , and convert it from 3U of rackspace to a small card the size of the EVM cards. Man that's cool!