Expert: Bill DeShawn - 3/18/2008

Question
Aloha from Hawaii,

My question pertains to my copy of AutoCAD. I used to work for an architect as a draftsperson. My employer bought me a computer for me to use and had a legal copy of AutoCAD installed on it. I have since moved on from that company. When I left, I offered to buy the computer. I have since become a freelance draftsperson. Does that make the AutoCAD installed on my computer illegal since I don't work for him anymore? I am having some weird issues that someone suggested might be alleviated by re-installing AutoCAD. However, I don't have the original installation cd. I would like to contact Autodesk and ask for a backup cd, but not if that is going to send up red flags. I have the license name and id code. Did I paint myself in a corner or am I worrying about nothing?

Thanks,
Shaun

Answer
Shaun:  AutoCAD licenses are non-transferrable.  The bad news is that you need to get your own license of AutoCAD in order to use AutoCAD.  Also, if you don't own the installation disk, then you are not the legal licensee of the software.  Being able to reinstall AutoCAD is a necessity nowadays.  Issues often arise that only a repair installation will solve.  Also, now that you have your own computer, check with Autodesk to see if it will support the NEWEST version of AutoCAD:  2008.  You will not be able to get a backup CD of AutoCAD from Autodesk, because you are not the licensee.  You employer cannot legally give you their installation CD.  Yes, Shaun, you painted yourself in a corner.  However, if you are going to draft with AutoCAD, it will be well worth your investment in an AutoCAD subscription, or a subscription in Autodesk Architecture.  If you learn that program, you will out-draft your competition.  However the learning curve can be tough.  I have had ADT for years and I never had the time to learn it.  

In any event, this is an issue you MUST resolve.

Also, since you are doing architecture, you may need to share drawings with other disciplines.  If you bought IntelliCAD instead of AutoCAD, you would give them drawings that their AutoCAD software would say it doesn't trust.  Even though AutoCAD may allow them to open it, you will have to take the time to explain to every Tom, Dick and Harry that it's a harmless message.  That could even cost you some work.  

Look at it this way:  at least you got some free use time out of it before you actually had to buy it.

Good luck to you.

Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn