Ensuring that your organization remains within the assigned purchase quota and adheres to the usage terms as detailed in your Autodesk End User License Agreement is crucial. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to significant costs for your organization. Using invalid software increases the risk of software failure and exposure to malicious software, leading to productivity loss. Only genuine Autodesk products are guaranteed and supported by Autodesk. Purchasing through an authorized reseller ensures the performance and reliability you expect, with access to the latest features, security updates, previous versions, and more.

Prevent Piracy and Non-Compliance:

It is possible that you might unintentionally purchase or use invalid software. Unauthorized sellers may offer invalid software at significantly reduced prices, on auction sites, or bundled with computer hardware. Protect yourself and others by educating yourself on this important issue and reporting non-compliance or websites suspected of selling or distributing unlicensed Autodesk products.

Even if you have obtained your licenses from an authorized Autodesk partner, there are additional common questions that organizations should be aware of. Ignorance of these details can lead to licensing compliance issues. For more information on relevant Autodesk products, such as AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, and to purchase a license, visit the Autodesk store.

Additional Common Questions When Acquiring Licenses from Autodesk Authorized Partners:

Even if you have obtained your licenses from an authorized Autodesk partner, certain common questions need to be addressed by organizations to avoid licensing compliance issues. For more information on appropriate Autodesk products, such as AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, and for license purchase, visit our Autodesk store. Examples that can lead to a violation of the license agreement, thereby incurring additional costs for acquiring more licenses, include:

  • Overuse or installation of your licenses.
  • Installed trial licenses after 30 days.
  • Student and educational licenses used in the commercial field.
  • Use of licenses across different legal entities and/or territories.
  • Continued use of a license that may have been used to upgrade to a new subscription.
  • Improper use of licenses for home use.
  • Previous use rights (how many releases back you can have installed).
  • Continued use of maintenance benefits for maintenance that was not renewed.

This list is not exhaustive, and there are other circumstances that could lead to a violation of licensing compliance.

Effective Management and Compliance with Software Licenses

  1. Understanding Risks:
    • Do you have all software licenses installed on your computers documented?
    • Do you have an accurate and up-to-date inventory of all software installed and in use at your organization?
    • Have you recently conducted a software audit and aligned findings with the number of licenses acquired to ensure compliance with license terms?
    • Are there policies and procedures in place to control the purchase and use of software?
    • Do users sign off that they are informed, understand, and agree to such policies and procedures?
  2. Achieving License Compliance:
    • First, gather and document all evidence of licenses and rights to use software in a secure location.
    • Conduct an inventory of your computers, software, and users.
    • Align the number of licenses with installed software and ensure that software is used in accordance with the license terms.
    • If discrepancies are found, take appropriate actions to achieve license compliance, such as purchasing additional licenses, reallocating unused licenses (if permitted), or reducing the number of users.
  3. Maintaining License Compliance:
    • Now that you have a baseline, start implementing procedures and policies that facilitate control and management of your software assets going forward.
    • Inform your executives, IT staff, and users about the importance of software license compliance and periodically remind them of it.
    • Review your IT policies to ensure they promote good software management practices.
    • Review and improve your practices for ordering, purchasing, using, and retiring assets.
  4. Optimizing Your Software Licenses:
    • Now that you have control, plan for the future.
    • Introduce procedures for collecting and reusing software instead of purchasing additional licenses, if this is in line with license terms.
    • Regularly review your licensing and maintenance contracts in line with changing patterns of software use and various computer configurations.
    • Ensure that your in-house software developers for the company consider licensing options and costs when developing new business applications. This will help you make better decisions about the costs and benefits of possible options.

Software Asset Management (SAM)

Large enterprises can benefit from a SAM program. Implementing a Software Asset Management (SAM) program can help you effectively manage and optimize your Autodesk software. SAM helps you track your software and ensures compliance with Autodesk license agreements. Not only does SAM reduce the risk of non-compliance and help you meet legal obligations, but it also brings significant business benefits.

Cost Reduction through Software Asset Management (SAM):

Industry analysts estimate that SAM can yield savings of up to 30% in the first year of implementing best practices, and 5-10% annually thereafter. This is achieved by:

  • Removing or reallocating underused software.
  • Reducing costs associated with software management and support.
  • Avoiding penalties related to non-compliance.
  • Negotiating volume discounts with suppliers.
  • Minimizing unexpected licensing costs.

Enhancing Productivity with Effective SAM: An effective SAM ensures that all employees have the licensed software they need to perform their tasks, along with support available only to licensed users. Autodesk will also keep you informed about software developments that can help you work faster and more efficiently. Furthermore, SAM reduces the IT staff’s workload by automating many routine software management tasks.

Supporting Efficient Management:

SAM simplifies software management by immediately showing which software is used and where. Instead of annual inventory, maintain a continuous record, allowing you to easily identify and update obsolete software. With SAM, you can effectively plan and purchase software as needed—not only when a new version is released. You can target upgrades and reduce issues. SAM also helps maintain your network and computer operations by reducing risks associated with viruses linked to downloading or purchasing software from unauthorized sites.

Licenses with Invalid Serial Numbers (Counterfeit or Pirated Licenses):

Licenses with invalid serial numbers are products that Autodesk never created for sale. These serial numbers were never issued by Autodesk and are not recognized as legitimate, genuine instances of software. Common ways these licenses enter organizations include incorrect downloads from the internet, unintentional purchases from counterfeiters, or the use of “cracks” or “key generators” on legitimate Autodesk media. In most cases, since these installations are not valid licenses, purchasing replacement legitimate software is necessary.

Over-Installation of Licenses – e.g., a single-seat license installed on multiple computers:

Over-installation occurs when a specific license is installed on various computers, exceeding the number of instances allowed by the valid Autodesk Software License Agreement. Over-installations can arise simply by installing a license on multiple computers or, in the case of network licenses, by simultaneously distributing the network license file to multiple servers, increasing the permitted number of licenses. Since the number of available software licenses is improperly increased through over-installation, an acceptable compliance solution is purchasing additional licenses to replace the over-installed ones.

Use of Licenses Registered to Another Company or Organization:

Autodesk software licenses are not transferable without Autodesk’s consent. This means that Autodesk software licenses should not be used in a company or organization other than the one for which they were purchased and registered. However, certain exceptions exist in corporate actions such as mergers, acquisitions, or divestitures among others. Autodesk’s consent is required for transferring licenses in these circumstances, and other restrictions may also apply. If licenses purchased and registered for another entity are found during an audit, additional information must be provided to Autodesk to determine if a license transfer is possible. If a transfer is not possible, the license must be replaced by purchasing a similar license.

Legal entities should only purchase licenses for use within that entity (unless a Premium Plan is available, which allows central license purchasing). Autodesk classifies non-compliance when licenses are used by companies or businesses not belonging to the legal entity they were purchased for. Licenses purchased by this legal entity may only be used by users within the valid territory where the licenses were purchased, unless they have a Premium Plan, which allows users to be located anywhere.,

 

Use of Licenses Outside the Territory of Purchase:

Autodesk licenses are assigned for use in the country where they were obtained. Licenses used outside the purchase country are non-compliant. This non-compliance occurs when licenses are transferred to different locations outside the country or relayed across networks to other countries. This non-compliance can be resolved by purchasing additional licenses in the required country, following the correct country-to-country transfer policy set by Autodesk, or by entering into a Global Network Use Agreement with Autodesk.

 

Use of Evaluation Software Beyond License Agreement Terms:

Under certain conditions, Autodesk provides its customers with evaluation copies of its software labeled “not for sale” (NFS) or “not for resale” (NFR). The terms of these licenses prohibit commercial, profit-making, or professional use, and the software must not be installed for longer than 30 days unless otherwise specified in writing by Autodesk. Installation or use of these licenses as described above is considered non-compliant. Purchasing similar licenses to replace NFS/NFR licenses is an acceptable solution to this issue.

Customer Responsibilities:

  • Customers must ensure they manage all Autodesk software. This includes removing Autodesk software from computers that are upgraded/downgraded or transferred to another user or department.
  • Customers are also responsible for removing software to which they no longer have the right to use. Read more: Autodesk Genuine FAQs

Concerned about Autodesk license compliance?

If concerns about penalties and strict compliance terms with Autodesk licenses and the high costs associated with their programs worry you, it may be time to consider alternatives offering greater flexibility and accessibility.

Read more: https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks

A solution is alternatives with a friendlier policy.

Several CAD/BIM programs on the market not only offer cheaper solutions but are also more user-friendly, have a similar interface and functionalities, and offer perpetual licenses with local support. One such alternative is GstarCAD, a reliable and cost-effective solution for CAD needs. A very fair and user-friendly approach to users is a priority. GstarCAD offers an extensive set of tools very similar to those in Autodesk products like AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, making the transition easy for users already familiar with Autodesk software.

Moreover, GstarCAD offers perpetual licenses, meaning that a one-time purchase gives you permanent access to the software without additional subscriptions or annual renewals. GstarCAD also provides effective and friendly local technical support, which is crucial for businesses that want to ensure smooth operations and quick resolution of any technical issues. Local support means you can expect fast responses and assistance in your country, in your language, further easing the use and implementation of the software.

GstarCAD is highly adaptable and can be used in various industries, including construction, architecture, engineering, and manufacturing, allowing businesses to maximize their productivity and efficiency. Why not try GstarCAD today? Switching to GstarCAD is not only easy but also economical. They offer a free trial version, so you can see how the program fits your needs before deciding to purchase. Discover how GstarCAD can enhance your work processes and reduce concerns related to license compliance.