Several questions regarding previous version acccess.

[Noren2]

Hi, 

1. Could you please address how the following paragraph holds up in light of the new development? Surely a right to install and access my software implies that Autodesk will continue to activate it?

"2.2 Additionally if You want to continue to Install and Access (a) copy(ies) of a prior version of the Covered Software (for which the Covered Software is a successor or substitute (as determined by Autodesk)) in your possession and that prior version is not specifically identified in writing by Autodesk on the Maintenance Plan Previous Version Eligible Product List, You may also continue to Install and Access that/those copy(ies) of that prior version, subject to the conditions in Sections 2.1.1 to 2.1.7 above, provided (1) You previously legally licensed and Installed and Accessed that/those copy(ies) of that prior version from Autodesk, and (2) Your Installation and Access of that/those copy(ies) does not exceed the total quantity of licenses to Install and Access that/those copies that You previously licensed and Installed and Accessed from Autodesk."

Source:

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

Edit: Paragraph 2.5  seams to blanket deny any responsibility by Autodesk to provide anything in regards to previous versions rights whatsoever. Assuming this paragraph was there from the very start,  this seems a bit fishy to me.

2. What stops Autodesk from providing alternative means to activate older versions, by means of a patch, if need be?(Not to mention that it strains believe that Autodesk actually can't work out a deal with vendors they license their key generators from).

3. Autodesk claims we can open files created with older versions of their software. But what about elements of the software that were removed, like e. g. reactor from 3ds Max? Also plugins might not be available for newer versions.

4. Does the coming strict implementation of the three versions back rule mean that somewhere down the line licenses as little as 5 (or even 4?) years old will no longer be activated?

5. When does Autodesk plan to actively  inform all affected customers (some of which might be seen by Autodesk as "former" customers)?  Right now this seems a lot like "salami tactics". 

Thanks!

[Noren2]

6. At some point in time and evidently now Autodesk must have realized there might be problems with vendors of key generators. Additionally to the solutions mentioned in question 2: Did and will Autodesk take the necessary measures to transition to inhouse development in that regard? This could be one solution for all of Autodesk's product lines.

Also:

Let's assume old key generators aren't updated anymore and Autodesk products aren't patched: It doesn't seem hard to create a safe, reliable, constant environment for a software that basically does one thing (and has done so for years) and has very specific information going in and out.

[rkmcswain]

@Noren2 wrote:

6. At some point in time and evidently now Autodesk must have realized there might be problems with vendors of key generators.

Even if there is some truth to this story, are we to believe that a very successful, worldwide corporation with 8,000 employees and $2.5B in revenue can't fabricate a workaround for this? Is their entire revenue stream dependent on some 3rd party creator of key generators, who apparently isn't very good at their job? And lastly, are we to believe that the lifespan of these key generators is somehow magically synchronized with the current version and three prior versions?

[Anonymous]

Autodesk, could we get some response to this?

[pendean]

no one here is Autodesk, just us end users.

[RobDraw]

They have made their decision quite clear and probably won't respond in this forum.

[Anonymous]

Except @natasha.l and several users actively participating in the software subforums...

[RobDraw]

What are you hoping to hear that hasn't already been said?

[Anonymous]

Do you work for Autodesk, Rob?

[RobDraw]

Why do you ask?

Why didn't you answer my question?

[Anonymous]

If you don't work for Autodesk, why are you responding to my post which addresses Autodesk? I realise you and pendean are (probably) trying to help by noting that Autodesk will not respond but on the off-chance they will, all you are doing is spamming this thread with replies that do not bring anything to the discussion. I commented on this old thread in the hope of reviving it, if you think it's of no use, fair play but why do you feel the need to thwart others' efforts to get heard? I hope you won't misunderstand this as a personal attack; it is not, I have no wish to argue, I would merely like to hear from Autodesk on this issue. It has caused many users a lot of problems and I don't think it's okay for Autodesk to avoid discussing this.

And if you do work for Autodesk, I think you should make it known, as it would be unethical to go around this subforum defending Autodesk without admitting that you have a personal stake in assuming your position.

[RobDraw]

Why are you addressing Autodesk in a user forum?

Do you really think you are going to get something out of them that hasn't already been made quite clear?

How are my responses going to thwart anything? (I feel sorry for you that you think it is my intent.)

Why aren't you answering my questions?

[rkmcswain]

@Anonymous - @RobDraw and @pendean and myself now are all here to say what has already been said. Nobody from Autodesk is going to respond to this thread. Even if I'm wrong and they do, what can they possibly say that hasn't already been said. Autodesk pays their legal team a lot of money to ensure that their policies are bulletproof before they are released.

The only way to force an answer from them, where they don't want to respond - is in court. I've seen dozens of people here say they are going to take Autodesk to court over this, but have yet to hear of a single lawsuit in progress.

The Autodesk CEO himself has said to go find another vendor if you don't like what they are doing:  https://twitter.com/upFronteZine/status/930590879412310017

[pendean]

Autodesk's published answer is right here:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/previous-version-support/bd-p/6051

You have no ability to convince Autodesk (through some poor employee that shows up here) to change their minds.

Your naivety is cute though, keep it up, don't ever lose it, it keeps you young at heart. Live the dream!

[Anonymous]

Dean,

wow, your last comment is very disrespectful and condescending. Glad to have learned something here about a few users.

Not sure why you are all ganging up on me as if I'm personally attacking you. I'm half expecting a horse head to appear in my bed later tonight lol.

Have a good evening/day depending on your time zone, I won't be replying in this thread anymore. 

[Noren2]

First of all, while I didn't truly expect Autodesk employees to reply to this thread and made no great efforts to make it more palatable, it's not impossible that they do, at least in parts. But mostly it was a reaction to the pinned and locked threads that are quite disingenuous in my opinion. Basically it was an opportunity for Autodesk to sway that impression, as unlikely as that might be. But no answer is an answer as well. 

Secondly, I really don't get the attitude some people are showing here and in similar threads, and quite consistently on top of that. 

[RobDraw]

Just in case you didn't notice. Today's activity was in response to @Anonymous's post requesting a response from Autodesk.

[Noren2]

I noticed, and I appreciate his initial reply and agree with anything else he has said.

[pendean]

Too bad you can't take honest comments to honest posts from all parties on the topic at hand, but that is your choice after all.

Enjoy your day.

[pendean]

>>>..I won't be replying in this thread anymore...<<<
Fresh out of horse heads so ... 🙂

Enjoy your day.