Avid Technology

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Avid Technology Inc. is an American-based multimedia and technology company formed in 1987 that specializes in providing solutions for the professional audio, video, and media markets.

Avid Technology is owned by the parent private equity group Symphony Technology Group (STG) as of 2023.

Avid Technology

Basic information
Founded	1987
Legal Structure	Private
Industry	Audio, Music, Video
Also known as
Official website	https://www.avid.com

Consumer-impact summary

Avid Technology has implemented several policies that negatively impact their customers:

• All Avid software solutions run on a Subscription or Perpetual + Support Plan model; Software + Support Plans typically only offer 1-3 years of support before needing to be purchased again.
• Requiring customers to purchase an Avid Support Code (ASC) or be under an active product Subscription or Software Updates + Support Plan to receive direct ticketing support using Avid's helpdesk. Phone support is only offered on an ASC code usage or a higher Support Plan.
• Usage of Avid designed hardware require the use of an "advanced" tier of their software products in order to provide full functionality and/or control.
• Avid designed hardware have a fixed 5-year term for hardware and software support when the product reaches its declared End of Sale date. After that point, all support for the product will cease officially.

Controversies

Avid removes Perpetual Plan options for Pro Tools users (April 2022)

Avid in April of 2022 removed the option for customers to buy new or Software Updates + Support Plan contracts for existing perpetual Pro Tools users. Following considerable industry backlash, Avid reinstated Perpetual licenses and Support Plan contract renewals through authorized 3rd party resellers in 2023.

Avid is Acquired by an Affiliate of STG for USD $1.4B (Nov 2023)

Avid Technology was acquired by an affiliate of STG for 1.4 billion dollars in a cash-only deal. This delisted Avid from the NYSE and returned its status as a private entity. Subsequently, some of Avid's product development was outsourced to STG asset offices in India.

Products

Pro Tools

A Digital Audio Workstation used by many studios and installations for music composition, recording, music production, and video post-production.

Sibelius

A music notation and engraving software used by score composers for general and film scoring.

Media Composer

A non-linear editor (NLE) for post-production video work for TV and film workflows.

MediaCentral

A suite of unified tools for newsroom events and live broadcast productions combining scriptwriting, automation, ingest, delivery, and collaboration in a single package.