Rosetta Stone: Difference between revisions
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==Consumer impact summary== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
Their standalone software solutions have often been sold under perpetual licenses<ref>{{Cite web |title=GLOBAL END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT |url=http://resources.rosettastone.com/CDN/us/pdfs/eulas/eula-global-eng.pdf |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904223201/http://resources.rosettastone.com/CDN/us/pdfs/eulas/eula-global-eng.pdf |archive-date=04 | Their standalone software solutions have often been sold under perpetual licenses<ref name="GEULA">{{Cite web |title=GLOBAL END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT |url=http://resources.rosettastone.com/CDN/us/pdfs/eulas/eula-global-eng.pdf |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904223201/http://resources.rosettastone.com/CDN/us/pdfs/eulas/eula-global-eng.pdf |archive-date=2011-09-04 |archive-format=PDF |website=Rosetta Stone |via=Wayback Machine}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=LEARN SPANISH With Version 4 - Install software from CD-ROM or Digital Download |url=http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish#comp-bottom |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009133447/http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish#comp-bottom |archive-date=2013-10-09 |website=Rosetta Stone |type=Click on "Compare Products" |via=Wayback Machine}}</ref> and some of their subscriptions were marketed as "lifetime" or "forever". In spite of that, Rosetta Stone recently remotely bricked its CD based and downloadable products by blocking activation or refusing to provide activation numbers (depending on the version)<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Rosetta Stone, Ltd Complaints |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/va/arlington/profile/language-training-aids/rosetta-stone-ltd-0241-3058409/complaints |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223032342/https://www.bbb.org/us/va/arlington/profile/language-training-aids/rosetta-stone-ltd-0241-3058409/complaints |archive-date=2026-02-23 |website=Better Business Bureau®}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=Rosetta Stone, Ltd Reviews |url=https://www.bbb.org/us/va/arlington/profile/language-training-aids/rosetta-stone-ltd-0241-3058409/customer-reviews |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223032250/https://www.bbb.org/us/va/arlington/profile/language-training-aids/rosetta-stone-ltd-0241-3058409/customer-reviews |archive-date=2026-02-23 |access-date=20 Feb 2026 |website=Better Business Bureau®}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=Rosetta Stone Reviews |url=https://www.trustpilot.com/review/rosettastone.com |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251231150605/https://www.trustpilot.com/review/rosettastone.com |archive-date=2025-12-31 |website=Trustpilot}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2026-02-01 |title=PSA: Rosetta Stone is "bricking" permanent licenses to force users into subscriptions |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/languagelearning/comments/1qt3jx8/psa_rosetta_stone_is_bricking_permanent_licenses/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260223032313/https://old.reddit.com/r/languagelearning/comments/1qt3jx8/psa_rosetta_stone_is_bricking_permanent_licenses/ |archive-date=2026-02-23 |access-date=19 Feb 2026 |website=Reddit}}</ref>. They've also blocked some of their "lifetime" subscriptions, claiming "lifetime" is the lifetime of the software. | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
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===Remote bricking of standalone software with perpetual license (2020s)=== | ===Remote bricking of standalone software with perpetual license (2020s)=== | ||
{{Main|Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software}} | {{Main|Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software}} | ||
In the 2020s, owners of perpetual licenses to CD and downloadable versions of the software started reporting they we being blocked from accessing it when attempting to activate it on their old computer. Some reported getting an error when attempting to activate the software<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> and some were refused an activation code when calling customer service when calling to request one as instructed<ref name=":7" /> (some versions of the software require inputting an activation code). When the users complained about their inability to access the $500 standalone product they already purchased and own a perpetual license to use, Rosetta Stone informed them it was no longer supported and presented a $79 "lifetime" subscription as a solution. This form of bricking is potentially illegal in this case (breach of contract and state consumer laws), since it goes against the EULA and bricks a perpetual license<ref name=" | In the 2020s, owners of perpetual licenses to CD and downloadable versions of the software started reporting they we being blocked from accessing it when attempting to activate it on their old computer. Some reported getting an error when attempting to activate the software<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /> and some were refused an activation code when calling customer service when calling to request one as instructed<ref name=":7" /> (some versions of the software require inputting an activation code). When the users complained about their inability to access the $500 standalone product they already purchased and own a perpetual license to use, Rosetta Stone informed them it was no longer supported and presented a $79 "lifetime" subscription as a solution. This form of bricking is potentially illegal in this case (breach of contract and state consumer laws), since it goes against the EULA and bricks a perpetual license<ref name="GEULA" />. | ||
===Revoking access to "lifetime" online subscriptions (''2020s'')=== | ===Revoking access to "lifetime" online subscriptions (''2020s'')=== | ||
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*V3 (2007): standalone CD only language learning software (perpetual license). | *V3 (2007): standalone CD only language learning software (perpetual license). | ||
**CDs: standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license) that included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription) with the option to extend it<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Learn Spanish |url=http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906070028/http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish |archive-date=06 | **CDs: standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license) that included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription) with the option to extend it<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Learn Spanish |url=http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110906070028/http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish |archive-date=2011-09-06 |website=Rosetta Stone |via=Wayback Machine}}</ref>. | ||
**Online Access/TOTALe Online<ref>{{Cite web |title=TOTALe Spanish (Latin America) 12-Month Online Access |url=http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish/totale |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110050010/http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish/totale |archive-date=10 Jan 2010 |website=Rosetta Stone |via=Wayback Machine}}</ref>: an online only version of the software (subscription | **Online Access/TOTALe Online<ref>{{Cite web |title=TOTALe Spanish (Latin America) 12-Month Online Access |url=http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish/totale |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100110050010/http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish/totale |archive-date=10 Jan 2010 |website=Rosetta Stone |via=Wayback Machine}}</ref>: an online only version of the software (subscription based access), where users could access and use the software online. This version was subscription-based. | ||
*V4 TOTALe (2010): | *V4 TOTALe (2010): | ||
**CDs : standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license) that included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription) with the option to extend it<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />. | **CDs : standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license) that included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription) with the option to extend it<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />. | ||
**Online Access/TOTALe Online: an online only version of the software (subscription | **Online Access/TOTALe Online: an online only version of the software (subscription based access), where users could access and use the software online<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Learn Spanish |url=http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019020107/http://www.rosettastone.com/learn-spanish |archive-date=19 Oct 2012 |website=Rosetta Stone}}</ref>. This version was subscription-based. | ||
**Digital Download (2013): a downloadable version of the standalone software (perpetual license) became available in 2013<ref name=":1" />. This version included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription). | **Digital Download (2013): a downloadable version of the standalone software (perpetual license) became available in 2013<ref name=":1" />. This version included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription). | ||
*V5 (2014): available as standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license), downloadable software (perpetual license) or an as a online subscription (time limited). Lifetime subscriptions were also available. | *V5 (2014): available as standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license), downloadable software (perpetual license) or an as a online subscription (time limited). Lifetime subscriptions were also available. | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Self-destructive design]] | *[[Self-destructive design]] | ||
* [[Discontinuation bricking]] | *[[Discontinuation bricking]] | ||
* [[End-user license agreement]] | *[[End-user license agreement]] | ||
* [[Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac]] | *[[Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac]] | ||
* [[Nitro PDF License Deactivating]] | *[[Adobe Creative Suite activation]] | ||
*[[Nitro PDF License Deactivating]] | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 01:17, 30 March 2026
❗Article Status Notice: This Article is a stub
This article is underdeveloped, and needs additional work to meet the wiki's Content Guidelines and be in line with our Mission Statement for comprehensive coverage of consumer protection issues. Learn more ▼
Rosetta Stone Inc. is a US company that develops and sells language learning products[1][2].
Rosetta Stone
| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1992 |
| Legal Structure | Public |
| Industry | Language learning software |
| Also known as | Fairfield Language Technologies |
| Official website | https://www.rosettastone.com/ |
Consumer impact summary
[edit | edit source]Their standalone software solutions have often been sold under perpetual licenses[3][4] and some of their subscriptions were marketed as "lifetime" or "forever". In spite of that, Rosetta Stone recently remotely bricked its CD based and downloadable products by blocking activation or refusing to provide activation numbers (depending on the version)[5][6][7][8]. They've also blocked some of their "lifetime" subscriptions, claiming "lifetime" is the lifetime of the software.
Incidents
[edit | edit source]This is a list of all consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in, including remotely bricking software with perpetual license and revoking access to lifetime online subscriptions.
Remote bricking of standalone software with perpetual license (2020s)
[edit | edit source]In the 2020s, owners of perpetual licenses to CD and downloadable versions of the software started reporting they we being blocked from accessing it when attempting to activate it on their old computer. Some reported getting an error when attempting to activate the software[5][6][7][8] and some were refused an activation code when calling customer service when calling to request one as instructed[8] (some versions of the software require inputting an activation code). When the users complained about their inability to access the $500 standalone product they already purchased and own a perpetual license to use, Rosetta Stone informed them it was no longer supported and presented a $79 "lifetime" subscription as a solution. This form of bricking is potentially illegal in this case (breach of contract and state consumer laws), since it goes against the EULA and bricks a perpetual license[3].
Revoking access to "lifetime" online subscriptions (2020s)
[edit | edit source]In the 2020s, users of Rosetta Stone's legacy "lifetime" subscription products started getting locked out of their accounts. They were no longer able to access the "lifetime" subscription they purchased. Upon complaining to customer service, they were told their "lifetime" access was only for the lifetime of the product[5][6][7].
Products
[edit | edit source]Individual
[edit | edit source]- V3 (2007): standalone CD only language learning software (perpetual license).
- CDs: standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license) that included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription) with the option to extend it[4][9].
- Online Access/TOTALe Online[10]: an online only version of the software (subscription based access), where users could access and use the software online. This version was subscription-based.
- V4 TOTALe (2010):
- CDs : standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license) that included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription) with the option to extend it[4][9].
- Online Access/TOTALe Online: an online only version of the software (subscription based access), where users could access and use the software online[9][11]. This version was subscription-based.
- Digital Download (2013): a downloadable version of the standalone software (perpetual license) became available in 2013[4]. This version included a 3 month trial to online privileges (subscription).
- V5 (2014): available as standalone installable CD based software (perpetual license), downloadable software (perpetual license) or an as a online subscription (time limited). Lifetime subscriptions were also available.
See also
[edit | edit source]- Self-destructive design
- Discontinuation bricking
- End-user license agreement
- Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac
- Adobe Creative Suite activation
- Nitro PDF License Deactivating
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Rosetta Stone". Rosetta Stone. Retrieved 26 Feb 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ "Rosetta Stone Inc. (Public, NYSE:RST)". Google Finance. Archived from the original on 25 Apr 2009.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "GLOBAL END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT" (PDF). Rosetta Stone. Archived from the original on 2011-09-04 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "LEARN SPANISH With Version 4 - Install software from CD-ROM or Digital Download". Rosetta Stone (Click on "Compare Products"). Archived from the original on 2013-10-09 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Rosetta Stone, Ltd Complaints". Better Business Bureau®. Archived from the original on 2026-02-23.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Rosetta Stone, Ltd Reviews". Better Business Bureau®. Archived from the original on 2026-02-23. Retrieved 20 Feb 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Rosetta Stone Reviews". Trustpilot. Archived from the original on 2025-12-31.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "PSA: Rosetta Stone is "bricking" permanent licenses to force users into subscriptions". Reddit. 2026-02-01. Archived from the original on 2026-02-23. Retrieved 19 Feb 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Learn Spanish". Rosetta Stone. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "TOTALe Spanish (Latin America) 12-Month Online Access". Rosetta Stone. Archived from the original on 10 Jan 2010 – via Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Learn Spanish". Rosetta Stone. Archived from the original on 19 Oct 2012.