Question about the student license

[Anonymous]

Hi, this question is not about only Fusion 360 but all softwares that can be used through the student license, I had two questions:

Can I use models that I've done with the student license to put in my personal portfolio in any media (online, digital file,printed etc)?

I understand that I can't use the student license for commercial purposes, but if I design something with the student license and later want to patent it and commercialize it what can I do? Can I remodel the same model in a commercial software and commercialize it or does autodesk own the design?

The third question is related to the second, if I later acquire a commercial license for any of autodesk's softwares do the models/files that I've created while using the student version become commercial?

Thank you for any help

[paul.clauss · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

Welcome to the Fusion 360 community! Thanks for posting. To answer your questions:

1. You can certainly use models created with your Student license in your personal portfolio! 
2. /3. In our Definition of Educational Purposes, Student educational usage is defined as "...purposes related to learning, training, research or development. “Educational Purposes” does not include commercial, professional or any other for-profit purposes." Autodesk does not own any of your designs and I think it would be fine to commercialize a design started in the Student version after obtaining a commercial license. One thing to note here is that, ff the email address or name used in an Autodesk Account has been previously used with any education license, that information (the login information) cannot be reused in a Fusion start-up or commercial Fusion license. You need to provide new account information.  If you want to maintain the login information associated with an existing account,  contact the Education Support Team so they can remove all associated education licenses first. 
   
   To ensure you qualify for Startup or Educational licensing,  see the Eligibility Requirements: 
   Startup and Educational Terms of Service for Cloud Products

If you are concerned about future usage of designs created under a Student license in Fusion 360, it may be a good idea to have a look at signing up for the hobbyist license, which provides Fusion 360 Ultimate free of charge for hobbyists and start-up businesses making less than $100,000USD/year. The details on the hobbyist license terms of use can be found here - this would be a better license to use if you do plan on commercializing your designs later on, just to be safe.

Please let me know if you have any questions - I'm happy to help!

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for your help @paul.clauss. I have decided to remain as a student until my studies have ended and then maybe apply for the Hobbyist license, In that case I'll redo any designs made with the student license that I feel suited for my professional work. I have a few question regarding the Hobbiyst license though:

Can I fully use the designs I make with the Hobbyist license commercially?

What does "home-based business" constitute of? Does that mean that I can be a physical person without being in a company and looking for a job/looking to produce my products somehow?

If I make designs with the hobbyist license and I get employed by a company that gains more than $100.000 for year do I lose the rights to the Hobbyiest license? In that case can I still use the designs that I did previously commercialy?

If I for some other reason lose the rights to the Hobbyist license can I still use the designs that I did previously commercially?

Can the Hobbyiest license be renewed every year indefinitely(as long as Autodesk provide the license of course) or is it a one time deal?

Thank you very much for the help

[paul.clauss · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous

Thanks for the response!

1. You can use the designs created in the hobbyist/start up license commercially.
2. A "home based" business for our purposes is any business making less than $100,000/year. 
3. As long as your company is not using the designs created with your hobbyist license, you may continue to use them if you personally make less than $100,000/year from the designs.
4. Yes. As long as you had the license at the time the designs were created that should be fine.
5. Yes, the hobbyist license can be renewed indefinitely at this time.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for all of your help @paul.clauss.