Buying Autocad on eBay

[earthtodan]

I'm helping a friend start using Autocad and I'm shopping for the program for him on eBay (to avoid paying $4k, of course). It seems to me there are two ways to go:

Pay less money, ~$400-$500, and get a copy that has been previously installed and uninstalled, and will supposedly activate with no problem but will not register with Autodesk. Or some such situation.

Or:

Pay about $1000 and get an unopened copy that will register.

What is the advantage of registration, and is it worth the money to get the unopened copy?

[Cad64]

The only way to get a legal copy of Autocad is to buy it through an authorized reseller. No matter what anyone tells you on ebay, or anywhere else, the Autocad license is non-transferable. So even if you buy an unopened copy for $1,000, you still have an illegal copy of the program and you can be prosecuted for it. So, to avoid potential legal problems, I would advise against it.

[BIGAL]

As an ex Autocad dealer

I can assure you Autodesk take a dim view on breaches of their licence they activeley seek out pirate copies.

If in doubt buy a legal copy of an alternative software.

[Cad64]

You can get a legal copy of Autocad LT for under $1,000. It has no 3D capability, no Express Tools and doesn't allow for custom lisp routines, but if your friend is just going to be doing straight 2D work, it may be worth checking into. http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet...112&id=2498418

[Alan Cullen]

There is also another issue you have to consider. It is very doubtful that you will get the portable license transfer with the software, so you will have to register it with Autodesk, and I doubt very much that they will give you the activation for it.

So you fork out however much money, and it still won't work. Unfortunately, no matter which way you look at it, if you want to use AutoCad, you have to pay the big dollars and get it through an authorised dealer.

[earthtodan]

Cad64, your link doesn't lead me to any more basic version. A simple 2D version is all this person needs, but it doesn't appear to exist at Autodesk.

This is ridiculous. I've personally done some pretty elaborate 3D work with acad and it seems like it's not much more advanced than a modern computer game. Yet I guess because it aids industry productivity, it's $4000 for a single seat. Why does the market tolerate that price?

[earthtodan]

Cad64, your link doesn't lead me to any more basic version. A simple 2D version is all this person needs, but it doesn't appear to exist at Autodesk.

Oh wait, are you talking about Autocad LT?

[Geoffers]

earthtodan

think yourself lucky you are in the states, for most software we in uk pay sterling pound for prices that you pay USD i.e. twice as much.

[ReMark]

According to AutoDesk, you may not...

"...distribute, rent, loan, lease, sell, sublicense or otherwise transfer all or part of the Software, Documentation or any rights granted hereunder to any other person without the prior written consent of Autodesk."

I imagine that if I were of the mind to sell my version of AutoCAD I would have to obtain the permission of AutoDesk first and that the terms would be rather strict. I don't see AutoDesk doing this on a routine basis but rather on a case-by-case basis. For example, an architect who is retiring may be granted permission to sell his license.

[Geoffers]

According to AutoDesk, you may not...


I imagine that if I were of the mind to sell my version of AutoCAD I would have to obtain the permission of AutoDesk first and that the terms would be rather strict. I don't see AutoDesk doing this on a routine basis but rather on a case-by-case basis. For example, an architect who is retiring may be granted permission to sell his license.

When three of us were made redundant in an office in 1997 three licences were left there unused. I tried to get one licence transferred to me - it would have been so valuable - but no go. The three licences were never used, subsequently about 6 others went the same way.

I can't see Autodesk or Dealer being interested in the 'paperwork' involved in a transfer.

You are just so cynical Geoffers.