Stay compliant and protected with genuine Autodesk software.
Using only licensed products ensures your organisation remains within its purchased allocation and the Terms of Use outlined in your Autodesk end-user license agreement.
Non-compliance can lead to substantial costs. Invalid software increases the risk of failure and malware exposure—resulting in lost productivity. Only genuine Autodesk products are warranted and supported. Purchase through an authorised reseller to access the latest features, security updates, previous versions, and the performance and reliability you expect.
Help prevent software piracy and license non-compliance
It’s easy to unknowingly purchase or use invalid software. Unauthorised sellers may offer it at deep discounts, on auction sites, or bundled with hardware.
Protect your organisation by learning more about this issue and reporting suspected non-compliance or websites distributing unlicensed Autodesk products.
Even when licensing is procured through an Authorised Autodesk Partner, common pitfalls can still lead to compliance risks. Understanding these details is essential to avoid exposure.
For more information on Autodesk products like AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT or to purchase a license here.
Common Compliance Risks
You may unintentionally breach Autodesk’s license agreement in the following ways:
- Overuse or over-deployment of licenses (e.g., installing a single-user license on multiple machines).
- Trial licenses left installed beyond the 30-day limit.
- Student or educational licenses used in commercial environments.
- Cross-entity or cross-territory usage without a Premium Plan.
- Continued use of traded-in licenses after upgrading to a new subscription.
- Incorrect home use of licenses.
- Exceeding previous usage rights (typically limited to the last three versions).
- Using maintenance benefits after maintenance has lapsed.
This list is not exhaustive. Any of these issues could result in additional licensing costs or compliance action
4 Steps to Effective License Compliance
1. Understand Your Risk
- Do you have a complete inventory of installed software?
- Have you recently audited your software and matched it to your entitlements?
- Are policies in place for software procurement and use?
If not, you may be at risk and should conduct a software audit.
2. Achieve Compliance
- Collect and securely store all license documentation.
- Match installed software to entitlements.
- Address mismatches by purchasing, redeploying, or reducing licenses
3. Maintain Compliance
- Implement policies and educate staff.
- Review procurement and asset retirement processes.
- Ensure leadership supports compliance practices.
4. Optimise Your Licenses
- Reuse software where permitted.
- Regularly review contracts and usage patterns.
- Plan licensing needs based on actual usage.
Software Asset Management (SAM)
Implementing a SAM program helps you:
- Cut costs by eliminating underused software and avoiding non-compliance penalties.
- Improve productivity by ensuring users have the right tools and support.
- Support effective management with real-time visibility into software usage
Invalid or Misused Licenses
- Counterfeit or pirated licenses: Often acquired via unauthorised downloads or key generators.
- Over-installed licenses: Using a license on more machines than allowed.
- Old licenses still in use after upgrades or cross-grades.
- Licenses registered to another entity: Not transferable without Autodesk’s consent.
- Out-of-territory use: Licenses must be used in the country of purchase unless covered by a Premium Plan.
- Evaluation software: Must not be used commercially or beyond the allowed period.
Need Help?
Our priority is helping you stay compliant. Be proactive—don’t wait for a compliance audit to act.
