The Tips in detail

 "How to transfer a 3DSMax license?"

From time to time you see someone offering a 3D Studio Max License for sale. As usual, trading software is a strange thing. You actually do not trade the program's code or binary or executables or thelike, but the license. This is the permission to use the software granted by the software producer (Kinetix / Discrete for 3DSMax.)

Not long ago you could not trade such a license in any way except you being an authorised Kinetix / Discrete / AutoCAD dealer. Selling "used" licenses was absolutely impossible. Several people complaint about this and now we have this official statement from Autodesk Customer Service:

E-MAIL ON TRANSFER OF LICENSE POLICY

6/17/99

On June 1, 1999 Autodesk re-stated its worldwide policy for reviewing and authorizing transfer of the Autodesk license agreement. While our intent in communicating this policy was to increase customer satisfaction, it is apparent that we have also raised several important questions and concerns.

To address these issues and correct possible misconceptions, we are writing today to clarify our policy on license transfers and to assure you that Autodesk is committed to providing the industry's highest level of customer satisfaction with the products and services we deliver.

First, it's important you know about three important areas of Autodesk policy that have not been changed by our recent announcements.

1) The Autodesk Software License Agreement. Your use of Autodesk software is still subject to the same Software License Agreement that was accepted when you or your company purchased and installed your Autodesk product. In summary, the License grants non-transferable use of the software, except when written authorization for license transfer is obtained from Autodesk.

2) Unauthorized Resale of Autodesk Software. Due to the technical nature of our products and the need to provide customers with high quality training and support, Autodesk requires that our software is sold only by resellers and business partners that have been specifically trained and authorized to do so. Additionally, by purchasing Autodesk products from an authorized resale partner customers are assured of getting valid (non-obsolete) software. Unauthorized resale of Autodesk products has been, and remains, explicitly prohibited on a worldwide basis.

3) Transfer of License for Non-Resale Purposes. As specified in the Autodesk Software License Agreement, transfer of license is only allowed when written authorization is granted by Autodesk. As a courtesy to our customers, we have in the past and will continue in the future to grant this authorization in specific circumstances, which include:

? Legal changes of company ownership and structure, including mergers and acquisitions

? Transfers of product within companies and Government agencies

? Legal changes of name or address

? Grants to educational institutions

? Donations to charity

So why are we re-stating our policy?

Over the last several months, Autodesk has experienced a dramatic increase in requests for license transfer in conjunction with unauthorized resale of our products. Since we cannot approve of unauthorized resale, we felt it was important to clarify our policy and procedures for reviewing and approving these requests. We began this process with Autodesk resellers in April 1999 and began informing individual customers in early May.

We apologize if any of our prior communication on this subject has caused confusion, and we hope that this e-mail has addressed your questions and concerns. A written summary of this statement is also posted to news://adesknews.autodesk.com/autodesk.americas.customerservice.

If you have further questions about Autodesk license transfers, or wish to request written approval to transfer your license, please contact Autodesk Customer Service at customerservice@autodesk.com or by telephone in the U.S. or Canada at 1-800-538-6401.

Sincerely,

Autodesk Customer Service