New EAGLE licensing

[jorge_garcia2]

Hello Everyone,

In this post we will be briefly describing how the new subscription model for EAGLE works.

Firstly, the Autodesk licensing model is subscription based and the EAGLE paid license will require that you install the SW and then generate an account on accounts.autodesk.com to retrieve your license entitlement.   

If you lose your network connection, the SW has a 14-day heartbeat that will enable you to work offline for 14 days.

All of your data is stored locally, so you are in complete control of your data.

We will continue to provide the freeware version of EAGLE. In order to use it you will still need to register an account with Autodesk.

In an upcoming release we will be adjusting the software so in the worst case scenario, where internet is unavailable past 14 days, the software will revert to free mode. That way you can always review your designs.

You can review the current EAGLE pricing by visiting this page.

[vidar.vidnes]

Wow... what a huge disappointment. I can truly confirm that I will never ever go into V8. The way they have decided to license the sw and the max 14day offline requirement is... sorry to say, the same as disrespecting your customers. +++ the list is long and already mentioned by many.

I will continue to use V7.7.0 in private for as long as it supports my needs, but I will no longer promote Eagle to any new users, which I have been doing for almost 20 years now, that would be wasting mine and theirs time, and money too. Actually I will more likely do the opposite, And i will also start to check other solutions like the upgraded kicad or other mentioned flavors. Sad, because I have been using cadence/orcad, kicad, menotraphic and other solutions earlier but liked Eagle the best because it was the perfect mix between high-end and usable. no longer so.

I am also working in a company, one of Scandinavia's largest em-company, which have been using eagle to design in house boards for many years. I know for sure that a license scheme like this is a no-go for us. I know this because I am part of the group that decides which sw we should use for electronic design. We have been discussing several other eCad softwares before as a possible replacement for Eagle, but Eagle has always been the preferred solution. This paradigm shift will definitely change this, and not in your favor.

Eagle was my preferred ecad sw as it managed to balance between being big enough to act professional and small enough to be caring for its customers. This will no longer be the truth, no matter how much former Cadsoft workers tries to ensure us about the opposite.

I am sorry about this, but it was kinda expected when I saw autodesk mentioned. Not every user will use this forum to let their voice be heard, I think most users will silently just bail out and find another solution for never to be seen or heard from again. You could just as-well told us that there would no longer be any development on Eagle, the result is the same.

Big thanks to Garcia and his fellow Cadsoft co. workers for their great support during many years. I wish you luck for the future.

Thats it...

Zainka has left the building.

[Anonymous]

we are using Eagle since many years for designing professional products. 
- we need full access to our schematic and board files designed with the 
program for the next 20-30 years, independent of any cloud based 
distribution or subscription.
- eagle always was reasonable priced, even when buying a bundle of 
licenses. Your new prices improve our costs of ownership by about 500% 
(!!!). At the moment we use eagle 6.6, an update to version 7 was of no 
interest cause the program suited our momentary needs. So we had 
expenses of about 400€ every 4 years for the professional version for 
one license.

We can not buy any new version of the program as long as it is 
subscription based!
We will not buy any new version of the program as long as cost of 
ownership are 500% above the usual rate!
We will use the program as long as it suits our needs and plan to 
replace it for new designs.

Please change sales policy till end of february 2017 and give positive 
feedback, otherwise we will replace Eagle for new designs with a product 
suiting our needs.

with best regards,



Peter Seng, SENG digitale Systeme 

[Anonymous]

we are using Eagle since many years for designing professional products. 
- we need full access to our schematic and board files designed with the 
program for the next 20-30 years, independent of any cloud based 
distribution or subscription.
- eagle always was reasonable priced, even when buying a bundle of 
licenses. Your new prices improve our costs of ownership by about 500% 
(!!!). At the moment we use eagle 6.6, an update to version 7 was of no 
interest cause the program suited our momentary needs. So we had 
expenses of about 400€ every 4 years for the professional version for 
one license.

We can not buy any new version of the program as long as it is 
subscription based!
We will not buy any new version of the program as long as cost of 
ownership are 500% above the usual rate!
We will use the program as long as it suits our needs and plan to 
replace it for new designs.

Please change sales policy till end of february 2017 and give positive 
feedback, otherwise we will replace Eagle for new designs with a product 
suiting our needs.

with best regards,



Peter Seng, SENG digitale Systeme 

[guillaume.dupuisG2ANH]

We use Eagle since 10 years. For security reason we don't connect CAD computer to internet.

With the new license we need to have a license check every 14 days. That's stupid ! Install dongle or flexlm.

If you have a crash or a bug on your cloud license server everybody is blind, that's clever. If we have strict proxy / firewall we cannot use your software. That's insane...

How can we be sure that the price of the subscription will be stable, if everybody is moving to kicad you'll have some troubles to have same subsciption price...

You have up to March to propose Something else or we will move from Eagle 7.7 to Kicad (like many people).

Please don't take us like hostages and don't burn Eagle

Guillaume

[Anonymous]

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@cdonato13 wrote:

I'd go to Circuit  Studio powered and created by Altium. $995 perpetual license 

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did you really work with CS or did you just read about the features?

Do you participate in the CS forums? Notice the "traffic" there?

[Anonymous]

A look at CircuitStudio’s FAQ reveals that they only have an online installer and no download which you could backup.

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

A look at CircuitStudio’s FAQ reveals that they only have an online installer and no download which you could backup.

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yes, I know, and CS is absolutely no option for me. Not only because of the licensing, but also because of the capabilities. I consider CS a half-baked product, working with it is like an adventure game unless you have Altium experience.

I just wanted to know why cdonato13 recommends CS: Did he serious work with it and is excited or did he just skim over the feature list and screencasts?

Oliver

[rc]

I just realize it's been more than a week since the big "landing" announcement and my first post in this thread, faintly hoping that Eagle's death by could be averted. By now I believe it's a lost cause - judging from the absence of Autodesk in this forum, Autodesk does not seem to care at all - presumably, the not-so-enthusiastic user response has even come to the attention of senior management: I realize that Jorge and Matt were rewarded the unpleasant task of taking the heat and may do what they can here, but it's quite clear that their influence on the matter is limited at most.

The fact that simple questions (such as why is there a substantial price difference between EUR and USD) are simply ignored, just shows an impressive amount of corporate arrogance. The Cadsoft takeover was a deal where senior management must have been involved, so given the unfriendly welcome the recent announcement has received (and the lies that Autocad publicly stated after the acquisition), I'd like to hear how Andrew Anagnost, Moonhie Chin or Amar Hanspal would comment on this. I smell a lot of goodwill burning here...

[Anonymous]

I am very disappointed like everyone else to see what has happened to Eagle Cad.

I have been a licensed user for 10+ years and disappointed to see where it has went.

Every few years I would upgrade my software and they were always fair about the costs to upgrade. With the old model if I didn't pay I couldn't get upgrades simple but the software was mine to use and never would stop working yes I have invested some money over the years but that was ok because I felt like I owned something.

Now with the new model If I pay I get upgrades but the second I stop I own nothing just like renting.  You have me on the hook forever.

What has happened to the investment I made in the software I purchased gone.

I will continue to use the version I have until I can not use it any more or move to KICAD.

if Autodesk decides to change it policy I might consider upgrading but as of now I am not going to spend $500 a year to rent something I already own.

[ayorkR8GD6]

Please quit going through and marking everything as a solution. You are spamming the thread watchers.

[synfinatic]

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@ayorkR8GD6 wrote:
Please quit going through and marking everything as a solution. You are spamming the thread watchers.

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Agreed.  It's very uncalled for and counter-productive for everyone.

[Anonymous]

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@synfinatic wrote:

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@ayorkR8GD6 wrote:
Please quit going through and marking everything as a solution. You are spamming the thread watchers.

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Agreed.  It's very uncalled for and counter-productive for everyone.

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That, and it spams those who wrote the original message.  (I had like 6-8 messages that got marked as solution,  where they really weren't solutions to someones problem

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@synfinatic wrote:

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@ayorkR8GD6 wrote:
Please quit going through and marking everything as a solution. You are spamming the thread watchers.

---

Agreed.  It's very uncalled for and counter-productive for everyone.

---

That, and it spams those who wrote the original message.  (I had like 6-8 messages that got marked as solution,  where they really weren't solutions to someones problem

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it is indicative of the respect  they have  for their inherited user base.

Lets not solve the problem, push a button and it goes away.

[tek_guy]

Um… It's the forum readers that are clicking the button and spamming us all, not Autodesk. Whoever's doing it thinks they are giving the finger to Autodesk, but they're actually annoying the rest of us… I'm probably going to unsubscribe to this thread. That's MY solution.

[Anonymous]

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@tek_guy wrote:

Um… It's the forum readers that are clicking the button and spamming us all, not Autodesk. Whoever's doing it thinks they are giving the finger to Autodesk, but they're actually annoying the rest of us… I'm probably going to unsubscribe to this thread. That's MY solution.

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Unsubscribing unfortunately does NOT block you from receiving notifications when your reply gets marked as a solution.

[Anonymous]

FYI for those following…

After emailing the following to support@cadsoftusa.com, which is being monitored by Autodesk:

Re: Use of my ULP and algorithm

I find the new subscription paradigm unacceptable.  

I do not authorize Autodesk to continue to allow downloads of my ULP: teardrops_and_nfps200.ulp nor for use of the associated teardrop/snowman algorithm I developed.  Should Autodesk allow more downloads than the 864 currently showing or use the associated algorithm in either software or a subsequently available ULP, then I will consider your continued permission to download acceptance of the following:

1) I will be allowed to upgrade my purchased EAGLE software/license to the last standalone version that a) did not implement heartbearts to be fully functional, b) will function with my existing Cadsoft license key, and c) contains the features (sheets/signals/areas) no less than those of my earlier purchased EAGLE license.

2) I will be considered a Eagle Premium subscriber in good standing, eligible for associated upgrades at no cost.

...Bruce Mellen

Here is Autodesk’s  initial response:

Hello Bruce,
I hope you're doing well. This is an interesting move... I'll contact management on this, however I don't think this is going to hold up very well. Usually, demands like this require some sort of contract with both parties signing and accepting the terms. Unilateral demands like what you have made above and in the forum don't tend to do so well under legal scrutiny. However, I really don't know if the above is acceptable or not so I'll forward it along and I'll let you know what they come back with.
Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.
Best Regards,

Jorge Garcia

Product Support Specialist

EAGLE

MAIN +1 954 362 5228

AND then from matt.berggren@autodesk.com:

Hi Bruce,

That's a shame.  We won't be upgrading your license under these terms.  If you wanted a subscription, we would consider that but the terms here are a non-starter.  I won't comp a license for legacy SW unless you're coming along for the ride.  

Sorry to see you go.  We'll take your script down when we update the site next and let users know you've decided not to offer this.  

Best regards,

Matt - Director, EAGLE

Autodesk.

I now see that the ULP has been removed from the download library but I see no notification of users and do not know how that might happen.

It seems Autodesk wants users to contribute, but still pay for a subscription. 

A subscription is cost prohibitive based upon my use so I’m out except to perhaps maintain my old designs with my old version.  KiCad for new designs, and old ones (if I can convert).

[matt.berggren]

This isn't correct.  We haven't any rights (or interest) to terminate the license you've already paid for with Cadsoft.  You entered into an agreement with Cadsoft when you purchased that license and nothing about version 8 of EAGLE or Autodesk's acquisition changes that.  What's more, Cadsoft didnt have the tech to turn off a perpetual license remotely.  Only term licenses called home to request license info and if you had that license, you were already in a subscription relationship, just with Cadsoft. 

Best regards,

Matt - Autodesk.

[Zephod]

When exactly did Cadsoft merge in to Autodesk as a legal entity? I got my license the 28th of november 2016, is that a license between me and Cadsoft or me and Autodesk? 

[matt.berggren]

Thanks.  It doesn't really matter in this context (actually they are a wholly owned subsidiary of Autodesk until the business is eventually, fully integrated with Autodesk).  When you were given that perpetual license from Cadsoft, it was under terms that both parties agreed to at that time and that wont change moving forward.  So by all means, continue using your Cadsoft software.  

If/when you're ready to upgrade to an Autodesk product, we will do our best to take that into account.  At this stage there is a 50% off promition (coupon code EAGLE50) for users with legacy software.  So if you bought a 3 year license, you'd get 50% off the total price.

Hope that's more clear.

Best regards,

Matt

[Anonymous]

Dear Matt,

How will you convince holders of pricey Cadsoft licences to continue with EAGLE? When will the 50% discount offer expire? How many years of discounted subscription are offered? Maybe free for the first year and 50% for as long as the software is supported?

Many thanks,

[skrodahl]

matt.berggren said:

"At this stage there is a 50% off promition for users with legacy software.  So if you bought a 3 year license, you'd get 50% off the total price."

The promotion code is only valid for the one year subscription. I asked Autodesk for a way to buy a three year subscription, with half off on the first year. That was a no-go, but would have eased my concerns for the coming three years.

I have reluctantly entered into a one year subscription and disabled auto-renew. As many have stated, seeing that previous clear promises were broken is what worries me the most. Should something else unexpected and negative happen, I have archived all my projects together with my Eagle 7.7 install files and license. Worst case, it will give me another year to fully learn KiCad.