Creative Debacle

[Andrew]

So Creative had bad drivers for vista which meant they cold not take full potential of certain audio cards.

Someone created drivers that worked better than Creatives, and had been doing so for some time.

Then Creative VP of communications stated that the person is not allowed to do so any more.

Creative had an agreement with another company about drivers for XP. This could not be carried on to Vista. So with Vista the audio card does not have as many features as XP drivers. Intentionally crippling hardware just because of an OS.

Message to Daniel_K

Daniel_K:

We are aware that you have been assisting owners of our Creative sound cards for some time now, by providing unofficial driver packages for Vista that deliver more of the original functionality that was found in the equivalent XP packages for those sound cards.  In principle we don't have a problem with you helping users in this way, so long as they understand that any driver packages you supply are not supported by Creative.  Where we do have a problem is when technology and IP owned by Creative or other companies that Creative has licensed from, are made to run on other products for which they are not intended.  We took action to remove your thread because, like you, Creative and its technology partners think it is only fair to be compensated for goods and services.  The difference in this case is that we own the rights to the materials that you are distributing.  By enabling our technology and IP to run on sound cards for which it was not originally offered or intended, you are in effect, stealing our goods.  When you solicit donations for providing packages like this, you are profiting from something that you do not own.  If we choose to develop and provide host-based processing features with certain sound cards and not others, that is a business decision that only we have the right to make.

Although you say you have discontinued your practice of distributing unauthorized software packages for Creative sound cards we have seen evidence of them elsewhere along with donation requests from you.  We also note in a recent post of yours on these forums, that you appear to be contemplating the release of further packages.  To be clear, we are asking you to respect our legal rights in this matter and cease all further unauthorized distribution of our technology and IP.  In addition we request that you observe our forum rules and respect our right to enforce those rules.  If you are in any doubt as to what we would consider unacceptable then please request clarification through one of our forum moderators before posting.

Phil O'Shaughnessy

VP Corporate Communications

Creative Labs Inc.

Looks like a lot of people are angry at this, and several are destroying their own creative products. Such as here, and here, and here (both near bottom of page).

Since its the weekend, there doesn't seem to be much response from Creative.

Creative's new drivers ate my porn - A bit of comedy.

Heh, this image sums things up.

Alas it looks like the internet hate machine is taking over the message board. Turning into a trainwreck.

[Andrew]

Daniel_K, Who Fixed Creative's Broken Vista Drivers, Speaks Out

All you need to read about this. Very detailed explanation.

[gryphon]

this would do good in the Vista topic ;)

[Andrew]

Yes it would. Yet another reason to "upgrade"? :P

EDIT:

Creative edited the original post that caused the controversy. Backpedaling already.

[gryphon]

just another reason not to blame MS for everything that seemingly goes wrong in Vista ;)

[Andrew]

Creative climbs down over home brew Vista drivers

Looks like Creative almost admitted to failing.

[veK]

1. Creative sucks like EA

2. There are not many alternatives for gaming(!) soundcards due to EAX licence (if you just need it for music and movies there are good alternatives)

3. Vista sucks, install XP instead