Autocad Add-on I have developed - help needed with procedure to follow

[arquimodem]

I need some help to clarify an issue of which I as an architect have limited knowledge.

I have developed an AutoCad add-on that I have tested for the past two two years with great success. It gives a substantial saving of time and effort.

I have been looking into marketing this commercially, but do not know whether I am obliged to get permission from AutoDesk? Is one allowed to market this as an Autocad addon without their permission.  I see that there are thousands of Autocad addons, and it seems unlikely that all are Autocad approved, although, of course, that approval would be good to have, but not if it came at a price.

I have been looking for a competent (and honest) programmer to assist me with this. Obviously I am concerned not only to be sure that whatever I do is legal, but also that my own idea is protected.

If there is any help/advice out there I would be thankful for it.
Hans

[pendean]

Ask in the "programming" forums while you wait here:

Customization Discussion area:
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Visual-LISP-AutoLISP-and-General/bd-p/130

Visual Basic Customization Forum:
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Visual-Basic-Customization/bd-p/33

Autodesk ObjectARX Customization Forum:
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-ObjectARX/bd-p/34

.NET Customization Forum:
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/NET/bd-p/152

Explore this as a sales method for your add-on:

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=17314684 

[arquimodem]

Thank you for your suggestions. I have taken a look at the route suggested. However I am not qualified as a programmer and really need to find an Autocad savvy person who would be prepared to link up with me. As I mentioned, the idea works very well from within Autocad and provides tremendous time savings for a very smart looking presentation, both on the technical as well as on the brochure-pretty drawing. The content is equal for both versions and the layer concept works wonders. At this time I am using the concept in all my work but that is all I am able to do. I believe that it has commercial value for the upper level of drafting and could even make a lost soul produce the most amazing work. It is a complete concept which has grown with me over 20 years. I am unsure of there is any purpose to attaching a pdf. As a test, I will attach below. Thank you, Hans (arquimodem)