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Rosetta Stone bricks legacy CD-based and downloadable software

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Rosetta Stone is bricking their legacy CD-based and downloadable software by blocking activation, despite perpetual license, to force users to buy a subscription plan[1][2][3][4].

Background

Rosetta Stone is bricking their legacy CD-based and downloadable software by blocking activation, despite perpetual license, to force users to buy a subscription plan[1][2][3][4]. They refuse to honor the EULA[5], which grants the owner right to use the software they own and the license does not have an expiration date. Users are also saying they've been explicitly told their access to the CD software is unlimited. Some have written evidence (including the creator of this article).

Providing the original receipt (proof of ownership), activation code and a photo of the running software (being blocked at activation), does not change the outcome. The software is standalone and does not require support. The only part the requires an internet connection or a phone call, is activation (currently blocked). Some users paid as much as $500 for the software they are currently being blocked from accessing[1][2][3][4].

There are lots of related unresolved complaints and negative reviews on the BBB[2][3] and Trustpilot[1]. There is also related post on Reddit[4], which has garnered 3K upvotes.

Instances where the software needs to be activated include the following:

  • Computer dying - needing to activate the software on a working computer.
  • Unused software - purchased software that hasn't been used or activated yet.

[Incident]

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Rosetta Stone's response

the company claims they no longer support the software and that it's outdated and can no longer runs on modern devices. They refuse to let users with older, compatible computers activate the software and push a paid subscription "upgrade" for $79 instead as the "solution". Some sources state the company has taken down or disabled their activation servers for the legacy software[2] and that on versions of the software that require an activation response code, they refuse to provide the code[4].

Rosetta Stone's refusal to give owners access to their purchased software and push paid subscriptions instead, is a potential breach of contract[5] and may also constitute an unfair business practice under state consumer protection laws.

Consumer response

Consumers are furious and many feel scammed. There are lots of related unresolved complaints and negative reviews on the BBB[2][3] and Trustpilot[1] and related post on Reddit[4]. One person stated they're considering filing with a small case court[2]. Some redditors advised consumers to file a complaint with their state's Attorney General[4]. The person who created this article is a frustrated owner of an installable CD version of the software who is currently unable to access their bricked $450 software and are creating this article in hopes that something can be done to give back us access to the software we own.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Rosetta Stone Reviews". Trustpilot.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "Rosetta Stone, Ltd Complaints". Better Business Bureau®.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Rosetta Stone, Ltd Reviews". Better Business Bureau®. Retrieved 20 Feb 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 "PSA: Rosetta Stone is "bricking" permanent licenses to force users into subscriptions". Reddit. 1 Feb 2026. Retrieved 19 Feb 2026.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "GLOBAL END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT" (PDF). Rosetta Stone. Archived from the original on 04 Sep 2011 – via Wayback Machine. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archive-date= (help)


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