Expert: Bill DeShawn - 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
Piece of cake.  Call your winner to get his full name and address (not his bank account information).  Pass that information on to your AutoCAD reseller, and have your reseller put the license in the name of the winner.  You give your payment information to the reseller or create an account with them to pay for the subscription and other subscriptions you may authoize in the future.  Make sure that after payment is received that your payment information is no longer associated with the winner's account with the reseller.  If the reseller requires account information, he may get that from the winner after his license has been paid for by you.

Keep in touch
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn