The usb elicenser formerly steinberg key is a copy protection unit sometimes called dongle which is needed to use steinbergs software range with the host applications cubase nuendo and wave lab the usb elicenser is already included in the product package the usb elicenser is also required to run steinberg vst instruments but is not included in the product boxes and must be purchased separately if no usb elicensersteinberg key is already present on the system the usb elicenser is