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{{Incomplete}}{{CompanyCargo
{{CompanyCargo
| Founded      = 1982
| Founded      = 1982
| Industry      = Software
| Industry      = Software
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==Consumer impact summary==
==Consumer impact summary==


==='''Ownership degradation'''===
===Ownership degradation===
In the last 2 decades Autodesk has been slowly discontinuing its perpetual licenses into mandatory subscription models. Such events include:
In the last 2 decades Autodesk has been slowly discontinuing its perpetual licenses into mandatory subscription models. Such events include:


*Autodesk stopped selling perpetual licenses for HSMWorks in 2016 and eliminated access altogether in 2025, rendering locally stored information unusable.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=@lenny_1962 |date=3 Feb 2025 |title=HSMWorks End Of Life March 25th, 2028 |url=https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-support-forum/hsmworks-end-of-life-march-25th-2028/td-p/13297431 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174804/https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-support-forum/hsmworks-end-of-life-march-25th-2028/td-p/13297431 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>
*Autodesk stopped selling perpetual licenses for HSMWorks in 2016 and eliminated access altogether in 2025, rendering locally stored information unusable.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=@lenny_1962 |date=3 Feb 2025 |title=HSMWorks End Of Life March 25th, 2028 |url=https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-support-forum/hsmworks-end-of-life-march-25th-2028/td-p/13297431 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250708174804/https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/hsm-support-forum/hsmworks-end-of-life-march-25th-2028/td-p/13297431 |archive-date=8 Jul 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>
*Fusion discontinued support for Windows 10, with unclear implications for existing installations.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Fusion Announcing End of Support for Windows 10 |url=https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-Announcing-End-of-Support-for-Windows-10.html?_ga=2.208606034.1190329573.1738186074-1680147263.1738186073 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130015007/https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-Announcing-End-of-Support-for-Windows-10.html?_ga=2.208606034.1190329573.1738186074-1680147263.1738186073 |archive-date=30 Jan 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>
*Fusion discontinued support for Windows 10, with unclear implications for existing installations.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Fusion Announcing End of Support for Windows 10 |url=https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-Announcing-End-of-Support-for-Windows-10.html?_ga=2.208606034.1190329573.1738186074-1680147263.1738186073 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130015007/https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Fusion-Announcing-End-of-Support-for-Windows-10.html?_ga=2.208606034.1190329573.1738186074-1680147263.1738186073 |archive-date=30 Jan 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>
*Autodesk acquired CadSoft EAGLE in 2016 and moved EAGLE and bundled it into Fusion<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sattel |first=Sam |date=2016-07-11 |title=Autodesk acquires EAGLE: Q&A and a look into the future! |url=https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/autodesk-acquires-eagle-qa-look-future/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251213104622/https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/autodesk-acquires-eagle-qa-look-future/}}</ref> failing to preserve perpetual-license continuity for EAGLE users after the acquisition. Effective June 7, 2026, Autodesk would no longer sell or support EAGLE<ref name="autodesk-eagle-eol-2023">{{cite web |last=Robledo |first=Edwin |date=2023-06-07 |title=The Future of Autodesk EAGLE: Our Path Forward with Autodesk Fusion Electronics |url=https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/future-of-autodesk-eagle-fusion-360-electronics/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251216035540/https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/blog/future-of-autodesk-eagle-fusion-360-electronics/ |access-date=2026-05-25 |website=Autodesk}}</ref> announcing "EAGLE will no longer be available." <ref name="autodesk-eagle-faq">{{cite web |title=Autodesk EAGLE License & Subscription FAQ |url=https://www.autodesk.com/solutions/eagle-subscription-faq |access-date=2026-05-25 |website=Autodesk}}</ref>
*Discontinuation of permanent licenses for Product Design Suite 2013.'''<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Ian |first=Davis |date=2023-06-29 |title=So much for Permanent Standalone licensing... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4-pp1uKNnM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=U4-pp1uKNnM |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=YouTube |type=video |publication-place=Ian Davis' personal YouTube channel}}</ref>'''
*Discontinuation of permanent licenses for Product Design Suite 2013.'''<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Ian |first=Davis |date=2023-06-29 |title=So much for Permanent Standalone licensing... |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4-pp1uKNnM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=U4-pp1uKNnM |archive-date=23 Feb 2026 |access-date=2026-02-20 |website=YouTube |type=video |publication-place=Ian Davis' personal YouTube channel}}</ref>'''
*Able to detect if pirated versions of their software are installed alongside the official one.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Autodesk detected pirated programs after purchasing licenses |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Architects/comments/1ct8nqd/autodesk_detected_pirated_programs_after/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250804044043/https://www.reddit.com/r/Architects/comments/1ct8nqd/autodesk_detected_pirated_programs_after/ |archive-date=4 Aug 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
*Able to detect if pirated versions of their software are installed alongside the official one.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=Autodesk detected pirated programs after purchasing licenses |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Architects/comments/1ct8nqd/autodesk_detected_pirated_programs_after/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250804044043/https://www.reddit.com/r/Architects/comments/1ct8nqd/autodesk_detected_pirated_programs_after/ |archive-date=4 Aug 2025 |access-date=2 Aug 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
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Autodesk is allowed to audit a users premises to verify compliance. If the user or company is found to have overextended licenses, Autodesk requires the user to purchase additional licenses to cover the overextended licenses in question.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AutoDesk License and Services agreement |url=https://download.autodesk.com/us/FY17/Suites/LSA/en-us/lsa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/iIM3C |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> However, the software does not limit the number of machines that can sign in and activate it simultaneously.{{Citation needed}} Autodesk compliance agents threatened to increase fines if legal counsel is hired against Autodesk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vondran |first=Steve |date=2023-04-12 |title=Autodesk Internal Getting Very Aggressive in 2023 Beware of Over-Assigning Licenses |url=https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/autodesk-internal-getting-very-7707218/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730215441/https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/autodesk-internal-getting-very-7707218/ |archive-date=2025-07-30 |access-date=2025-10-23}}</ref>
Autodesk is allowed to audit a users premises to verify compliance. If the user or company is found to have overextended licenses, Autodesk requires the user to purchase additional licenses to cover the overextended licenses in question.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AutoDesk License and Services agreement |url=https://download.autodesk.com/us/FY17/Suites/LSA/en-us/lsa.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/iIM3C |archive-date=2026-03-09 |access-date=24 Feb 2026}}</ref> However, the software does not limit the number of machines that can sign in and activate it simultaneously.{{Citation needed}} Autodesk compliance agents threatened to increase fines if legal counsel is hired against Autodesk.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vondran |first=Steve |date=2023-04-12 |title=Autodesk Internal Getting Very Aggressive in 2023 Beware of Over-Assigning Licenses |url=https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/autodesk-internal-getting-very-7707218/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250730215441/https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/autodesk-internal-getting-very-7707218/ |archive-date=2025-07-30 |access-date=2025-10-23}}</ref>


==='''Market control'''===
===Market control===
Autodesk is the biggest player in the CAD and BIM software markets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AutoCAD market share |url=https://6sense.com/tech/cad-software/autocad-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715185010/https://6sense.com/tech/cad-software/autocad-market-share |archive-date=15 Jul 2025 |access-date=26 Feb 2026 |website=6sense}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revit market share |url=https://6sense.com/tech/bim-and-architectural-design-software/autodesk-revit-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624143838/https://6sense.com/tech/bim-and-architectural-design-software/autodesk-revit-market-share |archive-date=24 Jun 2025 |access-date=26 Feb 2026 |website=6sense}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Market Overview Of BIM And CAD Software Usage Of European Architects |url=https://www.usp-research.com/insights/news/market-overview-of-bim-and-cad-software-usage-of-european-architects/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260322121604/https://www.usp-research.com/insights/news/market-overview-of-bim-and-cad-software-usage-of-european-architects/ |archive-date=22 Mar 2026 |access-date=26 Feb 2026 |website=USP}}</ref> The company has done many things throughout the years to achieve this market dominance, apart from being a voluntary choice for some consumers, including:
Autodesk is the biggest player in the CAD and BIM software markets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AutoCAD market share |url=https://6sense.com/tech/cad-software/autocad-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250715185010/https://6sense.com/tech/cad-software/autocad-market-share |archive-date=15 Jul 2025 |access-date=26 Feb 2026 |website=6sense}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Revit market share |url=https://6sense.com/tech/bim-and-architectural-design-software/autodesk-revit-market-share |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250624143838/https://6sense.com/tech/bim-and-architectural-design-software/autodesk-revit-market-share |archive-date=24 Jun 2025 |access-date=26 Feb 2026 |website=6sense}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Market Overview Of BIM And CAD Software Usage Of European Architects |url=https://www.usp-research.com/insights/news/market-overview-of-bim-and-cad-software-usage-of-european-architects/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260322121604/https://www.usp-research.com/insights/news/market-overview-of-bim-and-cad-software-usage-of-european-architects/ |archive-date=22 Mar 2026 |access-date=26 Feb 2026 |website=USP}}</ref> The company has done many things throughout the years to achieve this market dominance, apart from being a voluntary choice for some consumers, including:


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In 2007, [[wikipedia:Autodesk_Mudbox|Mudbox]] was bought by Autodesk. the software has had multiple new version releases, but no updates.
In 2007, [[wikipedia:Autodesk_Mudbox|Mudbox]] was bought by Autodesk. the software has had multiple new version releases, but no updates.


===Vernor v. Autodesk, Inc. (''2007'')===
===''Vernor v. Autodesk, Inc.'' (''2007'')===
In 2007, Timothy Vernor tried to sell his physical copy of Autodesk. Autodesk sued Vernor for copyright infringement in Timothy Vernor v. Autodesk, Inc as Vernor's purchase was for a license. The case made its way to the US Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, where it was decided in Autodesk's favor, limiting the [[first-sale doctrine]]<ref name=":6" />.  
In 2007, Timothy Vernor tried to sell his physical copy of Autodesk. Autodesk sued Vernor for copyright infringement in ''Timothy Vernor v. Autodesk, Inc'' as Vernor's purchase was for a license. The case made its way to the US Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit, where it was decided in Autodesk's favor, limiting the [[first-sale doctrine]]<ref name=":6" />. 
 
===Selective product activation based on location===
Due to EU law perpetual licenses are required to be able to be sold or transferred, allowing licenses as old as the 2010 version of AutoCAD LT and AutoCAD to be activated on new computers (as of 2024) due to the nature of the server side activation codes generated for perpetual licenses. The timetable of allowing only certain versions to be activated and that version number reaching ever closer to the current version is so that the activation server can be removed entirely in favor of the licensing model they currently use. Many of the steps used to ensure less users are able to activate their perpetual licenses include:
 
*Removing product keys from their website
*Offering trade-ins for discounts on their licenses
*Denying activation of perpetual licenses after the version is no longer supported officially (even if the capabilities are still there to follow EU laws)
*Going after pirated versions of the software, which may include people who have legitimate perpetual licenses but couldn't get activations through Autodesk so may have circumvented that security feature by generating an activation code some other way, or again some errors may have been the issue at hand causing a false positive for the "piracy"  in question.<!-- This line should be re-written to be concise and clear. -Sojourna -->
*Removing articles for troubleshooting certain errors for older versions of their software
 
In short Autodesk only provides license transfers in places that legally require them to do so, which includes at least one activation of the license in question, even if the software is no longer supported on paper. Any consumer with an unusable valid license located outside of such jurisdictions are left with no recourse.


==Products<!-- I personally remember taking a class that used Inventor, and the spotty internet connection some computers in the industrial building would have on occasion would make it HELL for me to do classes since if the internet went out and I did not save before then, I had to start from scratch! LITERALLY forced me to drop my class halfway through because of this, and I did not get my money back for it! - JamesTDG -->==
==Products<!-- I personally remember taking a class that used Inventor, and the spotty internet connection some computers in the industrial building would have on occasion would make it HELL for me to do classes since if the internet went out and I did not save before then, I had to start from scratch! LITERALLY forced me to drop my class halfway through because of this, and I did not get my money back for it! - JamesTDG -->==
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==References==
==References==
<references />
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Autodesk]]
 
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
Retrieved from "https://consumerrights.wiki/w/Autodesk"