Single User (Subscription) Accessing Multiple Computers

[kburg]

In our Engineering department, each user has access to a unique desktop (primary), a laptop for travel, a common shop computer (that we hoped to use infrequently to answer questions on while on the floor) and a home computer.  We believed that with our new subscription package, that a single user could access their software from multiple locations by logging in/out at each location prior to accessing the software from a different location as long as that user was not accessing the software at two locations simultaneously.  It seems like this might not be true as I can find no way to log out of the software and, when tested, I was able to open a session on both my computer and my laptop without a flag or warning.  

I do not want to run afoul of the license agreement by not understanding the rules.  Am I, as a single user allowed to use multiple computers on a daily basis as long as I close one instance before walking to another location to open a new one?  If so, is it an honor system that I am not currently using both if it only checks in every thirty days?  If not, what are the correct restrictions on the use in regards to a single user using multiple computers, non-simultaneously, as our reseller may have misled us with incorrect information.

For background, we have (6) single user licenses (converted recently from maintenence) and (6) users of Inventor/Autocad.

[Anonymous]

@kburgwrote:

what are the correct restrictions on the use in regards to a single user using multiple computers, non-simultaneously

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I'd like to see this answered as well. If it's covered in the terms and conditions somewhere, I've yet to find it. The EULAs for individual products don't appear to have changed to keep pace with licenses being associated with user accounts instead of hardware installations. 

[HELPDESK123]

I was able to find this:

"A Named User may access Autodesk Account and/or Install and/or Access Benefits on multiple Computers, provided that a Named User may not be Logged On to Autodesk Account or Accessing Benefits on more than three (3) Computers simultaneously;"

Source: https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/autodesk-terms-and-conditions/eng_autodesk... section 2.4.4 (under "Named Users")

[cnewmanVIK]

We are just moving from 2017 to 2019, and it sounds like our reseller described signing in and out to various computers the same way yours did.  But the only sign in and out options I can find in Inventor and AutoCAD are up in the top right corner near the help button.  If that is the button that has to be used to sign in and out, I see that being forgotten all the time when switching computers.  

So I guess I am just curious if you have ran into any problems with just leaving them all signed in all the time?  Or how you are dealing with this.  

[kburg]

I never heard a response from Autodesk on this. I have told my user to simply make sure he shuts down the program whenever he is not actively using it or before switching stations. This ensures he does not use the program concurrently on two different computers which I believe is congruent with the license agreement . We have not had any problems to date.

[cnewmanVIK]

What did you do re:  a common shop computer (that we hoped to use infrequently to answer questions on while on the floor)  as this is something we were hoping to do as well.

[kburg]

It is a common computer in location only, in that each user accesses it by logging into their own domain account which in turn accesses their own unique Autodesk account. There is not a common account.

[natasha.l]

ultiHello @kburg, 

The number of named users you can assign per product is determined by the total number of seats available for that product. Contract Managers assign named users to products and manage their permissions for each of the services to which that product entitles them via Autodesk Account. See Managing Users & Permissions for more information.

In this case, 6 seats = 6 named users they can be signed into 1 computer/device at a time & the application can be installed on multiple computers. 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[Anonymous]

I am trying to understand this, but getting conflicting information from two separate Autodesk sources:

1) This source claims:

2.4.4  A Named User may access Autodesk Account and/or Install and/or Access Benefits on multiple Computers, provided that a Named User may not be Logged On to Autodesk Account or Accessing Benefits on more than three (3) Computers simultaneously;

https://www.autodesk.com/company/legal-notices-trademarks/autodesk-terms-and-conditions/eng_autodesk...

2) This source claims:

Your Authorized User may install Software on up to three (3) Electronic Devices; however, Your Authorized User may only use the Software on one (1) Electronic Device at a time.

https://www.autodesk.com/company/terms-of-use/en/subscription-types

Which one is correct?

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

The named account can be used up to 3x in performing task..  For example.

1.  Authorize the use of the software

2.  Log into desktop app

3.  Log into Autodesk Account.

So technically I could be on one machine doing #1 and #2 and go to another machine and perform task #3.

However the name account can't be used to authorized the use of the software on another machine when the named account is being used already on another machine to do this.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mark, where can I find an Autodesk-produced document confirming this?

Why does Source 1 contradict this? I would like someone from Autodesk to weigh in if possible...

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

You already have the sources in your original post..

Source #1 doesn't contradict with anything..

Source #1 states like I said your named account can be used up to 3x times performing certain task on the same machine or across 3 machines doing a single task.  I guess you could interpret that the named account could be used up to 3X authorizing the use of the software on 3 separate machines but the clause encompasses all of the task that the named account can be used and not just a given task.

Source #2 states you can install on numerous devices but you can only use your named account once to authorize the use of the product.

[Anonymous]

I'm talking about installation, Source 2 says you can install software on a maximum of 3 electronic devices, Source 1 states you can install software on "multiple" computers (I assume this means more than three?). On how many computers can you install the software?

So example scenario, I have 1 license for AEC. I have the software installed at home for home use, on a work laptop, and in the office on one computer. Can I install the software on one additional computer in the office for e.g. rendering? Source 1 seems to suggest this is okay as long as I don't use software concurrently on more than 3 computers. Source 2 expressly says this is not possible (in saying I can only install on 3 electronic devices).

Neither source mentions the interpretation you offer, i.e. that the limit of 3 can also be understood as 3 different instances of Autodesk login (so not only software activation, but also Autodesk App or simply being logged in to  one's Autodesk account on a separate computer). That's why I would like to know where you found it.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Anonymous 

"Source 1 seems to suggest this is okay as long as I don't use software concurrently on more than 3 computers."  No this is not allowed.  You can only use one machine at any given time to authorize the use of the product.  Meaning the named account can't be used more than once to launch the software no matter how many times the software is installed.   For example..  If I am work and going home..  I would exit the software on my work machine and then I could go home and launch the software on my home pc.  But if I left the software running at the office I wouldn't be able to launch the software at home since my named account is already being used to authorize the use of the product on another machine.

[christopherfry]

Can you confirm that when it is stated that you can't run the software concurrently on multiple devices that this means the licence manager will not let you do this or that it is breach of licencing contract? i think users confusion is they appear to be able to sign in on multiple devices at the same time.

[leowarren34]

If users are able to use the software on multiple installs concurently then the license manager clearly isn't stopping them. The whole point of this is that a single person cannot use more than one instance at a time as lack of hands might be an issue. The rule was likely established so companies werent buying one license and having loads of people using it at the same time.

[Mark.Lancaster]

@christopherfry 

The named account can only be used once on a given machine to launch and activate any of the products of the Collection or the single user subscription software that you have.

Now I have also seen cases where a single named account is being used among many machines and launching/activating different types of subscription based products.   Meaning its possible...  But a warning when you do this..   I also know these type of things can trigger an internal audit at Autodesk and when it gets to that point (well that's not a situation you want to be in).

In the end, whether you can do it or not, you need to follow the rule as I stated in the opening of my reply.. 

[EricsUsername]

<ignore. unable to delete this.>

[EricsUsername]

Does the License Manager/System prevent a user from logging in to PROGRAM-N (with same user account) on a second machine as to stop the user from being able to use PROGRAM-N on two machines simultaneously ?
*I really don't think anyone wants to try to verify this*
While I appreciate interpretations, I seek rock solid stipulation from ADSK and/or fact.
I think many of us are seeking the facts on this as we can interpret until the 'cows come home' per se and it would do us no benefit.
..
If not, then why not ?
<Hopefully we can obtain an official reply.. I think you guys deserve an official reply since this thread is years old.>

[Anonymous]

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@EricsUsername wrote:

Does the License Manager/System prevent a user from logging in to PROGRAM-N (with same user account) on a second machine as to stop the user from being able to use PROGRAM-N on two machines simultaneously ?
*I really don't think anyone wants to try to verify this*
While I appreciate interpretations, I seek rock solid stipulation from ADSK and/or fact.
I think many of us are seeking the facts on this as we can interpret until the 'cows come home' per se and it would do us no benefit.
..
If not, then why not ?
<Hopefully we can obtain an official reply.. I think you guys deserve an official reply since this thread is years old.>

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Technically, the first thing you do when signing any agreement is READ the agreement with the accompanying T's & C's. And if you read and understand the agreement and T's & C's, which expressly forbid using 1 seat of a license on 2 or more computers at a time, I'm not sure why people pry and try to find holes in this... It's not down to the vendor to DISABLE every possible avenue of cheating (although they will of course try as it's in their own interest), it is your responsibility as a user to follow the rules you agreed to. Yes, you physically *CAN* steal from a shop, doesn't mean it's legal. Even if you *COULD* physically log in and use software on two PCs with the same username at the same time, it does not magically make it legal.