Security implications License keys are more than commerce — they’re a small security surface. Keys embedded in installers, transmitted in clear text, or validated via weak schemes invite abuse: key leakage, unauthorized sharing, or brute-force activation attempts. Conversely, overly heavy-handed DRM that ties keys irrevocably to hardware IDs can complicate legitimate use — hardware refreshes, virtualized environments and disaster recovery scenarios should not require weeks of vendor support. Sensible licensing balances protection against misuse with operational flexibility for legitimate customers.