I've recently received a letter of inquiry from Autodesk regarding use of illegally copied versions of Autocad. Has anyone else had the same experience and what have you done about it? What were the results of the inquiry?
curtkram
May 16, 14 9:46 am
are you using illegally copied versions of autocad?
LITS4FormZ
May 16, 14 10:22 am
If you're not using illegal or unlicensed software then you have nothing to worry about...
I'm guessing that since you are asking, you might be using illegal or unlicensed software...
Good Luck?
snooker-doodle-dandy
May 16, 14 8:25 pm
You buy that copy from a guy in a black trench coat, black pants, and a black turtle neck? Did it come in a ziplock bag with a ounce of Mary Jane?
accesskb
May 16, 14 8:38 pm
no, I haven't because I've always paid for my copy legally or used an educational license
Miles Jaffe
May 16, 14 8:42 pm
They also track IP addresses on traffic addressing this issue. Not that they have to, since they already know where you live.
Here's a question: if it's an illegal license, do you have to abide by the end-user agreement?
Nice first post.
gruen
May 16, 14 8:52 pm
Snook, those clothes describe most of us here...
sameolddoctor
May 16, 14 8:59 pm
Look at everyone being all sanctimonious and shit here. As if all of you guys make enough to buy 7000$ softwares (lol).
boy in a well
May 17, 14 12:52 am
pssh, only an ounce . . .
archanonymous
May 17, 14 12:57 am
No one is putting a gun to his ( or your) head and forcing you to use a $5000+ software package from AutoCad.
Plenty of firms do great work on SketchUp and Rhino + Plugins or even simple 2D AutoCAD Lt, none of which cost more than $1000. If you were a student, it you may get some sympathy - especially back in the day, there was not always a student version available. You, however, are a professional and have no excuse.
curtisboney
Aug 28, 22 3:25 pm
Lol, okay karen
boy in a well
May 17, 14 1:20 am
whatever.
anyone else get one of these mystery letters?
Do tell!
snooker-doodle-dandy
May 19, 14 1:11 pm
There is a software bootlegger in every office.
snooker-doodle-dandy
May 19, 14 1:11 pm
HE or She is also the staff member who belongs to a bowling league.
curtkram
May 19, 14 2:30 pm
i've had licenses go bad, and autodesk products that my office paid for quit working. (it didn't go bad because we quit paying, rather it was just something got messed up when they were transitioning to a new system or something screwy). i may or may not have resorted to alternative methods of license authentication to keep the office running. if they put half the effort into the actual program that they put into DRM, it might actually be worth what they charge.
i have never received a letter from them. i'm not passing judgement as to whether you did or did not circumvent their licensing restrictions. i could care less. it does seem relevant to the question you're asking though.
haruki
May 19, 14 7:13 pm
This could be a big deal. A small office I used to work at ended up settling with autodesk and paying them something like $30,000 to avoid formal legal troubles plus the additional amount it cost to purchase legitimate copies of their software.
mightyaa
May 20, 14 2:08 pm
Ages ago, I got a similar threatening letter. But it turned out to be more of a scam sort of thing from some vendor trying to sell us more licenses. They wanted to come out and 'inventory' then offer to 'bring us into compliance' by selling us copies at marked up cost to 'avoid' litigation.
Since we're more than legal, we sniffed it out rather fast and reported it to Autodesk. Don't know what became of it though.. basically, call Autodesk by looking up their number instead of calling the toll free number on the letter to verify whether it's 'official' or not. We also get threats like this regularly like our 'google listing', 'yellow pages', 'web hosting', 'magazine subscriptions', etc. are going to be invalidated if we don't respond immediately... Seems to be a regular marketing ploy to make it seem like it's a legal matter and use scare tactics.
Basically, don't trust that it's really Autodesk. If it is.... you might be in trouble because I seldom hear of them actually pursuing anyone unless they are seriously illegal.
Menona
May 20, 14 2:22 pm
It seems like NCARB holds you hostage until you're licensed to practice. Then when you're practicing, AutoDesk takes over the bridle and shakes you down. "New Version!" -ugh.
30,000 to "avoid legal troubles" - then they "allow" them to purchase legal copies. Sounds like an offer you can't refuse.
haruki
May 20, 14 8:43 pm
If I remember correctly to autodesk's credit they allowed the payment of the $30,000 fee to be in installments over time.........
radical element
Jun 2, 17 1:43 pm
I just received a similar email which stated I had ten days in which to comply. When I called the Autodesk Software management representative number, a young lady came on the line and said that once I registered, my computer would be scanned to confirm compliance with an Autodesk terms and conditions that I supposedly signed. I asked her when I signed it, she could not say. She did say that it was probably in the verbiage that one agrees to when installing the software.
So I indicated that I had a stand alone 2014 LT version which I ordered on-line from Autodesk. Therefore, why should I submit myself to an "audit". She said it's very simple and she would send me the short "one page" version of the audit procedure instead of the 17-page version that is on-line.
She sent me that one-page version and asked me to download a zipped file that would scan my computer. I'm thinking, "What the Hell?" She then said I should send her a "PIA" file after the scann took place and she would finish the registration for me.
They have a record of me purchasing the standalone software, otherwise, why would they email me. Why would they want to scan my computer, other than to see if I had any other unlicensed Autodesk software.
It seems overly intrusive and I don't want some damn unknown program scanning my computer.
I asked her what would happen if I declined to undergo a software review. She indicated that I would then receive a formal letter requesting that I comply with their request.
At that point, I realized that if this was truly an Autodesk request, then they have a terrible customer relations program. Why would you hound your known customers?
I went straight to Autodesk and searched for "software review" on their main menu. Nothing came up.
I'm not going to allow an unknown scan of my computer, mainly because I have personal and sensitive information on my laptop.
I'll let them send me a letter. Then I will report them to the Attorney General of their home state and of my state as well.
radical element
Jun 2, 17 1:59 pm
"9.7 Audits. Licensee agrees that Autodesk has the right to require an audit (electronic or otherwise) of the Autodesk Materials and the Installation thereof and Access thereto. As part of any such audit, Autodesk or its authorized representative will have the right, on fifteen (15) days’ prior notice to Licensee, to inspect Licensee’s records, systems and facilities, including machine IDs, serial numbers and related information, to verify Licensee’s Installation of and Access to the Autodesk Materials. Additionally, within fifteen (15) days of the audit request, Licensee will provide to Autodesk all records and information requested by Autodesk in order to verify Licensee’s Installation of and Access to the Autodesk Materials. Licensee will provide full cooperation to enable any such audit. If Autodesk determines that Licensee’s Installation of or Access to the Autodesk Materials is not in conformity with the applicable agreements or terms of service, Licensee will obtain immediately and pay for valid license(s) to bring Licensee’s Installation and Access into compliance and pay the reasonable costs of the audit. In addition to such payment rights, Autodesk reserves the right to seek any other remedies available at law or in equity."
This is Autodesk's T&C regarding Audits. It appears that they are fishing for unlicensed copies on existing customers computers. What a horrible customer service policy......!
I guess I'll have no choice but to "comply", or be subject to legal action on their part......what utter BS.....!
I purchased their damn product for my business and now they are forcing me to submit to a scan of my computer. Come on, how despicable is that? I will never buy another product from these bastards ever again.
archanonymous
Jun 2, 17 4:56 pm
ArchiCAD is a great software. Very reasonable company too.
archanonymous
Jun 3, 17 11:41 am
It is different. I like the integration with rhino. It was created for architecture.
is built on a garbage software kernel pulled from a solid modeler.
archanonymous
Jun 3, 17 11:41 am
*Revit, (is built on a garbage kernel...)
radical element
Jun 2, 17 6:28 pm
Thanks. I'll keep ArchiCAD in mind for my next upgrade.
Although being a civil engineer with a specialty in dam design, it may not be as handy as AutoCAD for my purposes.
Gloria Monet
Jun 3, 17 11:10 am
I wonder how much of your computer would they be able to scan using that file?
I've recently received a letter of inquiry from Autodesk regarding use of illegally copied versions of Autocad. Has anyone else had the same experience and what have you done about it? What were the results of the inquiry?
are you using illegally copied versions of autocad?
If you're not using illegal or unlicensed software then you have nothing to worry about...
I'm guessing that since you are asking, you might be using illegal or unlicensed software...
Good Luck?
You buy that copy from a guy in a black trench coat, black pants, and a black turtle neck? Did it come in a ziplock bag with a ounce of Mary Jane?
no, I haven't because I've always paid for my copy legally or used an educational license
They also track IP addresses on traffic addressing this issue. Not that they have to, since they already know where you live.
Here's a question: if it's an illegal license, do you have to abide by the end-user agreement?
Nice first post.
Snook, those clothes describe most of us here...
Look at everyone being all sanctimonious and shit here. As if all of you guys make enough to buy 7000$ softwares (lol).
pssh, only an ounce . . .
No one is putting a gun to his ( or your) head and forcing you to use a $5000+ software package from AutoCad.
Plenty of firms do great work on SketchUp and Rhino + Plugins or even simple 2D AutoCAD Lt, none of which cost more than $1000. If you were a student, it you may get some sympathy - especially back in the day, there was not always a student version available. You, however, are a professional and have no excuse.
Lol, okay karen
whatever.
anyone else get one of these mystery letters?
Do tell!
There is a software bootlegger in every office.
HE or She is also the staff member who belongs to a bowling league.
i've had licenses go bad, and autodesk products that my office paid for quit working. (it didn't go bad because we quit paying, rather it was just something got messed up when they were transitioning to a new system or something screwy). i may or may not have resorted to alternative methods of license authentication to keep the office running. if they put half the effort into the actual program that they put into DRM, it might actually be worth what they charge.
i have never received a letter from them. i'm not passing judgement as to whether you did or did not circumvent their licensing restrictions. i could care less. it does seem relevant to the question you're asking though.
This could be a big deal. A small office I used to work at ended up settling with autodesk and paying them something like $30,000 to avoid formal legal troubles plus the additional amount it cost to purchase legitimate copies of their software.
Ages ago, I got a similar threatening letter. But it turned out to be more of a scam sort of thing from some vendor trying to sell us more licenses. They wanted to come out and 'inventory' then offer to 'bring us into compliance' by selling us copies at marked up cost to 'avoid' litigation.
Since we're more than legal, we sniffed it out rather fast and reported it to Autodesk. Don't know what became of it though.. basically, call Autodesk by looking up their number instead of calling the toll free number on the letter to verify whether it's 'official' or not. We also get threats like this regularly like our 'google listing', 'yellow pages', 'web hosting', 'magazine subscriptions', etc. are going to be invalidated if we don't respond immediately... Seems to be a regular marketing ploy to make it seem like it's a legal matter and use scare tactics.
Basically, don't trust that it's really Autodesk. If it is.... you might be in trouble because I seldom hear of them actually pursuing anyone unless they are seriously illegal.
It seems like NCARB holds you hostage until you're licensed to practice. Then when you're practicing, AutoDesk takes over the bridle and shakes you down. "New Version!" -ugh.
30,000 to "avoid legal troubles" - then they "allow" them to purchase legal copies. Sounds like an offer you can't refuse.
If I remember correctly to autodesk's credit they allowed the payment of the $30,000 fee to be in installments over time.........
I just received a similar email which stated I had ten days in which to comply. When I called the Autodesk Software management representative number, a young lady came on the line and said that once I registered, my computer would be scanned to confirm compliance with an Autodesk terms and conditions that I supposedly signed. I asked her when I signed it, she could not say. She did say that it was probably in the verbiage that one agrees to when installing the software.
So I indicated that I had a stand alone 2014 LT version which I ordered on-line from Autodesk. Therefore, why should I submit myself to an "audit". She said it's very simple and she would send me the short "one page" version of the audit procedure instead of the 17-page version that is on-line.
She sent me that one-page version and asked me to download a zipped file that would scan my computer. I'm thinking, "What the Hell?" She then said I should send her a "PIA" file after the scann took place and she would finish the registration for me.
They have a record of me purchasing the standalone software, otherwise, why would they email me. Why would they want to scan my computer, other than to see if I had any other unlicensed Autodesk software.
It seems overly intrusive and I don't want some damn unknown program scanning my computer.
I asked her what would happen if I declined to undergo a software review. She indicated that I would then receive a formal letter requesting that I comply with their request.
At that point, I realized that if this was truly an Autodesk request, then they have a terrible customer relations program. Why would you hound your known customers?
I went straight to Autodesk and searched for "software review" on their main menu. Nothing came up.
I'm not going to allow an unknown scan of my computer, mainly because I have personal and sensitive information on my laptop.
I'll let them send me a letter. Then I will report them to the Attorney General of their home state and of my state as well.
"9.7 Audits. Licensee agrees that Autodesk has the right to require an audit (electronic or otherwise) of the Autodesk Materials and the Installation thereof and Access thereto. As part of any such audit, Autodesk or its authorized representative will have the right, on fifteen (15) days’ prior notice to Licensee, to inspect Licensee’s records, systems and facilities, including machine IDs, serial numbers and related information, to verify Licensee’s Installation of and Access to the Autodesk Materials. Additionally, within fifteen (15) days of the audit request, Licensee will provide to Autodesk all records and information requested by Autodesk in order to verify Licensee’s Installation of and Access to the Autodesk Materials. Licensee will provide full cooperation to enable any such audit. If Autodesk determines that Licensee’s Installation of or Access to the Autodesk Materials is not in conformity with the applicable agreements or terms of service, Licensee will obtain immediately and pay for valid license(s) to bring Licensee’s Installation and Access into compliance and pay the reasonable costs of the audit. In addition to such payment rights, Autodesk reserves the right to seek any other remedies available at law or in equity."
This is Autodesk's T&C regarding Audits. It appears that they are fishing for unlicensed copies on existing customers computers. What a horrible customer service policy......!
I guess I'll have no choice but to "comply", or be subject to legal action on their part......what utter BS.....!
I purchased their damn product for my business and now they are forcing me to submit to a scan of my computer. Come on, how despicable is that? I will never buy another product from these bastards ever again.
ArchiCAD is a great software. Very reasonable company too.
It is different. I like the integration with rhino. It was created for architecture.
is built on a garbage software kernel pulled from a solid modeler.
*Revit, (is built on a garbage kernel...)
Thanks. I'll keep ArchiCAD in mind for my next upgrade.
Although being a civil engineer with a specialty in dam design, it may not be as handy as AutoCAD for my purposes.
I wonder how much of your computer would they be able to scan using that file?