De-authorize apps and plugins before re-installing MacOS?

[macstatic]

Is it necessary to de-authorize all licensed apps and DAW plugins when upgrading the OS?
I'm upgrading from 10.9 El Capitan to 10.13 High Sierra (on the same computer), but 10.13 is a clean install on a separate drive and I've manually transferred all my files over from an old HDD to a bigger one, so technically I'd say it's not an "upgrade".

So... when everything's tested out in 10.13 I'll be reformatting the old drive (10.9 and all user's files) and am wondering if this could result in loss of licenses? I'm asking because I recently tried to re-install an app I hadn't used for a while but was told that all 3 of my licenses were used up (forgive me, I don't remember the exact wording) -I understand the license terms allowed me to install the app on 3 of my own computers, but trying to install it again now probably resulted in a 4th machine. I had to contact them in order to get it all reset.
Is this common for many licensed apps? What's the common way of de-authorizing an app (or plugin in a DAW app such as Garageband etc.)? I can't say I've noticed any "de-authorize" option, and hadn't given it a second thought until I ran into this problem.

 

[KeesMacPro]

Hi!
For apps from Apple (Garageband,Logic Pro etc) you can easily download them again in the App Store.
But e.g. Avid apps (Sibelius ,Pro Tools etc) recommend to deauthorize before you format the disc.
Otherwise, the license (for 3 computers) will only work for 2 computers....

 

[macstatic]

I don't own any Avid apps.
So the general concensus is that you don't need to deauthorize/remove all licenses on your computer before having it deleted (formatting the drive)?

What happens if you "lose" an authorization because a license is lost (i.e. the computer'd drive is reformatted)? Can you usually contact the software developer and ask for them to "reset" the license counts?

 

[KeesMacPro]

It depends on the license .
I've had n issue because of replacing the LogicBoard with a License.(disc ID =same, but Serial number device changed).
I've heard of people with Microsoft license issues, after replacing a disc (disc ID changed, Serial number device=same).

I assume the safest way is store the License key, and deauthorize before formatting.
How to reset a license count, I would contact the developer in case of issues...

 

[macstatic]

That makes sense. I haven't seen any "deauthorize" option in any of the plugins (or Mac apps) that I use, but keep all my activation codes etc. stored safely in case I need to prove I'm the rightful owner.

I'm about to replace the CPU in my Mac Pro with a new one -would that cause issues like what you're mentioning?

 

[KeesMacPro]

I'm about to replace the CPU in my Mac Pro with a new one -would that cause issues like what you're mentioning?

Nice!
No issues with license keys

 

[macstatic]

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