Perpetual vs Subscription License

[widesigner]

I have had an LT subscription since the early years of the subscription service and last updated to the 2022 version. Now my license indicates its a perpetual license and customer service seems to agree its always been a perpetual license even though I still have the 2021 program on my computer (yes it was from the subscription download. Has this happened to anyone else? My subscription fee was always lower than the going subscription rate - are they trying to force all subscribers to the current rate?

[DarrenP]

are you saying you subscribed to LT and it switched to a perpetual license?

[widesigner]

Correct

[Simon_Weel]

If I recall correct; what's now called 'maintenance' was called 'subscription' as well in the early days. So I guess you bought a perpetual license back in the days - the subscription-model wasn't around yet. And paid a yearly maintenance fee? 

[widesigner]

Did the maintenance fee allow you to upgrade to the newest version of Autocad LT when it was released?  I've been able to upgrade until 2022 and now I can't

[DarrenP]

my guess you have a maintence subscription (perpetual license) from the beginning

if you had a subscription license & you didn't renew your software would not be working

[widesigner]

Did the maintenance subscription allow you to update to the newest version?  I've always been able to update - until now and my current software is working

[DarrenP]

Yes if you renewed 

the latest version would be based on when your subscription expired

[widesigner]

Seem like my subscription should be active since I can currently use LT2022 but I guess it isn't if I can't download 2024???  I guess I'm confused then

[DarrenP]

Log on to your autodesk account  or contact your reseller to check your contract status

[widesigner]

I did. They're answer... you have a perpetual license. Guess I should have kept my invoices

[DarrenP]

Look up your contract status not the license type

Go here & look: https://www.autodesk.com/support/account/manage/billing/overview

[Simon_Weel]

 I've been able to upgrade until 2022 and now I can't

That sounds right. "Maintenance retired on May 7, 2021" according to Autodesk, so in your case 2022 is the last version with a perpetual license. You probably have a key to activate it. Don't know what happens if you have to reinstall AutoCAD - chances are you're no longer able to activate it.