Expert: Shauna Anderson - 9/13/2011

Question
OK, I know this sounds like an odd question, but it's still pertinent to AutoCAD, so here I go.

I have a friend who works for a radio station here in the UK, and someone has suggested giving away AutoCAD as a prize - what's the legalities of this, could it be done?

The listener suggested giving away AutoCAD 2011 with specialist traffic-sign design software, like KeyTRAFFIC / KeySIGN (http://www.keytraffic.com/Images/Product/KeySIGN/KS1_l.png - all products rely on AutoCAD for them to function) or
SDP (Sign Design Pro, info at http://cabs-cad.com/software/sign-design-pro/ - this relies on AutoCAD)

What are the legalities of "giving away" AutoCAD and the associated specialist software above as a prize in a competition, whether it be radio station, online or in print (magazine)?
Just checking to be on the safe side.

(name withheld for privacy, pseudonym used)

Answer
Obviously I am not a legal professional - I also suspect that the law varies between the UK and US, but I would like to try and be helpful to you.

Because of the language in the End User License Agreement, I suspect you can give ACAD away if it is purchased from an authorized reseller with that purpose in mind. If it is something that is cluttering up some guy's computer room so he is willing to donate it for this purpose and has already registered it then I am certain you can't. The EULA talks about it being non-transferrable. I am adding a link to the Autodesk web site that lists dealers in the UK so that you can get the real info that you need. I hope that is of some help to you.

http://www.autodesk.co.uk/adsk/servlet/partner/search/results?siteID=452932&catI