Maxon Sends Legal Threats to PC Enthusiast Websites Hosting Portable Cinebench R20 Downloads

[btarunr]

Maxon last week week posted its Cinebench R20 CPU benchmark. Breaking convention, the company behind rendering software such as Cinema 4D R20, did not host the installer of Cinebench R20 on its own website. Instead, the software is being exclusively distributed through Microsoft Store (for Windows) and Apple App Store (for the MacOS platform). Several reputable PC enthusiast websites such as Guru3D and us, were bombarded by comments from their readers that they didn't like having to get their Cinebench R20 copy from "walled garden DRM platforms," and instead preferred portable versions of the software. Cinebench R20 is freeware, and so with good intentions, many PC enthusiast websites decided to build portable versions of Cinebench R20 that people can just unzip and run. Maxon did not take kindly to this.

Guru3D received legal threats from Maxon to take down their download hosting of Cinebench R20 portable. Facing these threats, Guru3D took down their download and amended their news articles with links to the Microsoft DRM store. The e-mail we received politely asked us to remove the "unauthorized download" but did include a threat that the company "reserves the next legal steps." We believe this behavior by Maxon is unfair, and will alienate a section of PC enthusiasts form Cinebench. No record-seeking PC enthusiast with an LN2 bench painstakingly set up has time to plug their machine to the Internet, launch the UWP store, evade attempts to get them to log in with a Microsoft account, and fetch Cinebench R20 with versions they have no control over. They'd rather install and run their benchmarks and tools off a flash drive, with control over versions, and the ability to keep their machines offline to stabilize their overclock. Many others simply hate DRM platforms for freeware. TechPowerUp has since taken down Cinebench R20 portable from its Downloads section. You can find it on Microsoft UWP Store.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[EuroTy]

DRM-free ? Walled garden ? Why the hell did you installed Windows 10 in first place ? Just use Linux if don't like it. The thing is that for the end-user is much easier to press one button than 3-4.

 

[dj-electric]

I think that the best thing we can do is just not use R20, not advertise R20, not take any part in it.

 

[kastriot]

Their loss.

 

[HD64G]

So, they don't wont pre-win10 users to use their "free" software?

 

[HwGeek]

I think they forgot what Cinebench is used for...
It first I was very happy that they finally released new version to be relevant in 2019 with all the new CPU's, but forcing Windows store? not cool.
They could just add windows store as another download source, and as mentioned before- what Win 7 users should do?

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

I doubt spewing venom here is going to do justice when the folks who has beef with UWP are partially at fault for forcing sites like TPU to "write" portable versions of the benchmark software, knowing full well that there will be consequences but couldn't care much because they're not taking responsibility. Sure Maxon is unfair when it comes to protecting their software but making a portable version without their consent kinda make things worst.

 

[john_]

You can find it on Microsoft UWP Store.

I guess, most we just don't care if we can.

 

[biffzinker]

I'm not deleting the portable version I made from the Microsoft Store.

 

[hat]

It's already freeware, isn't it? In that case, shouldn't they just be happy that people are interested in their software? Methinks Maxon got in bed with Microsoft...

 

[sutyi]

Maxxon does know how the internet works right? Once it's up and out there it will be always around till the end of time...

Instead of sending out legal threats they should just make their own portable version to share...

 

[erixx]

The future looks more like walls en less like gardens.
Maybe their strategy is "OS price down, 'app' monetarization up"? Turning indeed the OS into a portal. "Hey mama!! Look, just like Android and iOS!"

 

[W1zzard]

I think that the best thing we can do is just not use R20, not advertise R20, not take any part in it.

i'm seriously considering that for my reviews and will just stick with R15 unless overwhelming requests for R20

Instead of sending out legal threats they should just make their own portable version to share...

Either they want to mine the MS Store installation data for statistics, or they have some sort of exclusivity contract with MS, which I find hard to imagine, given how niche CineBench is. Could also just be some noob beancounter people there who have no idea how their benchmark is used in the community. In the end all they care about is money from rendering people for their Cinema4D software, not hardware enthusiasts

 

[Vayra86]

This is weird, really.

 

[Xzibit]

Doesnt their EULA state you need their permission.

Software that is delivered by MAXON marked as “Not-for-Resale” and whose sale or distribution to third parties is prohibited without permission of MAXON

 

[Vya Domus]

With some of the bizarre results that this benchmarks gives out and now this, something is sketchy with these guys.

 

[W1zzard]

Doesnt their EULA state you need their permission.

That doesn't look like "marked as not for resale"

 

[CosmicWanderer]

"Unfair"? It's their proprietary software, and they have every right to decide how it gets distributed. And considering it's free, people really shouldn't be complaining. Them being left out because they decide to stick with an older OS is absolutely their choice. It's not like they cant continue to use the older version of Cinebench.

 

[HwGeek]

They claim that R20 supports Win 7 - so they need to provide the software to Win7 users too- If not then they should say Win 10 only:
Great example of: "left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing ".

 

[Regeneration]

You're all welcome to use Linpack Xtreme for benchmarking:

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/linpack-xtreme/

It is completely portable, just 8MB in size, cross-platform, supports MP platforms and uses the latest instructions sets.

No need to download 200MB files from MS Store.

 

[Vayra86]

You're all welcome to use Linpack Xtreme for benchmarking:

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/linpack-xtreme/

It is completely portable, just 8MB in size, cross-platform, supports MP platforms and uses the latest instructions sets.

No need to download 200MB files from MS Store.

Inb4 massive complaints of broken Coffee Lake OC's

Linpack is brutal. Though I agree, its a good one and pretty stable across many years too.

 

[windwhirl]

People's problem with Microsoft Store seems somewhat... exaggerated.

DRM? DRM depends mostly on the app itself, not so much the Store. The apps choose whether or not to implement some form of DRM. The Store only records that you've downloaded the app and that it should be kept updated, if it is installed. If you login with a MS account, it just means that the Store will remember everything you've ever acquired, even if you reinstall the OS. And why the hell would Cinebench launch from the Store if there was any kind of DRM that could affect its performance? I'd like to believe they thought about that.

Walled-garden? Seriously? Microsoft isn't forcing anyone to ditch the classic Win32/Win64 software and run everything from the Store. This isn't iOS, or even Android, and Microsoft knows that.

On the other hand, the site says Cinebench supports Windows 7... So, where is the installer for Windows 7? Or is it something they forgot to change during the launch?

 

[CobaltQuasar]

DRM-free ? Walled garden ? Why the hell did you installed Windows 10 in first place ? Just use Linux if don't like it. The thing is that for the end-user is much easier to press one button than 3-4.

What you said is true, the end user wants to install it as simple as possible... Opening it from a usb drive without configuring the ms store first.
The target audience is overclockers, it isn't your average facebook dweller.
hwbot only considers windows7 submissions as valid for r15, and will likely be the case for r20.
You shouldn't start blurting out linux nonsense when you don't understand who this software is for.

 

[rtwjunkie]

@W1zzard I would rather see you not use R20 in any reviews. Just stick with R15 or another program.

Since it is Maxon’s property, and distribution is up to them, then respecting their wishes keeps TPU safe from lawsuit. I really would hate to see TPU facing legal action it can ill afford just because TPU insisted it is “free.”

In the long run, it is better reputation-wise throughout the tech community to to be seen as respecting their wishes. Even if it is obtained at the Microsoft store, promoting R20 is also a bad idea, given Maxon’s stance, and would further embolden them. I say don’t even pay it any attention.

 

[Capitan Harlock]

This is idiotic at lvl 9000.
I'm still rocking Windows 7 and i'm gonna use it until it dies .
How i was suppose to download it from the MS Store?
Someone didn't switch on the brain .
Glad i got it before was removed.