Is legal to use Revit Viewer after 30 day trial?

[crodriguez]

Hello

I just want to know if it's legal to continue using Revit in "Viewer mode" after the 30 days trial.

I work in a company with a large number of professionals, where a big percentage has Revit licenses, however, there is another part (especially coordinators) that do not use Revit licenses, but they have to visually review the information, these coordinators use the Revit in viewer mode (Without any licence assigned) .

I usually thought  is legal to use the Revit viewer after the trial, however, my reseller recently indicated to me that this is not legal, that using the "Revit Viewer" after the trial period is not allowed, and should be uninstalled. (Which for me, would not make much sense, since you are not using Revit to produce any information)

Thanks for your support in this.

[brendan_maxwell]

Your re-seller should have a close partnership with Autodesk. While I cannot offer legal advice on the internet, I would assume your re-seller has a good idea of the policies of Autodesk.

[brettgatti]

I have always been under the impression that since Revit Viewer does not allow you to save, export or in many instances print (if anything has been changed) that it is allowed to be used to view Revit files - without having to own Revit itself. 

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is legal....and is the suggested download to view Revit files when you don't have a license....because you cannot save the file.  I think you cannot print either.

[chris_curley2]

I'm not a legal expert but i would read the below as, Evaluation product and licensed for 30 days only. Interesting on the number of installs limite to one also...

"An Evaluation License is for a fixed term specified in the applicable License Identification, or if no such term is specified, the term is thirty (30) days from Installation or as otherwise authorized in writing by Autodesk."

extracted from http://download.autodesk.com/us/FY19/Suites/LSA/en-US/lsa.html

Why are Autodesk not replying to the original question?

[Anonymous]

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@chris_curley2 wrote:

I'm not a legal expert but i would read the below as, Evaluation product and licensed for 30 days only. Interesting on the number of installs limite to one also...

"An Evaluation License is for a fixed term specified in the applicable License Identification, or if no such term is specified, the term is thirty (30) days from Installation or as otherwise authorized in writing by Autodesk."

extracted from http://download.autodesk.com/us/FY19/Suites/LSA/en-US/lsa.html

Why are Autodesk not replying to the original question?

---

You are correct....the "Evaluation License" is for 30 days only...  When you click on Revit 2019 and you have exceeded the 30 days it will direct you to the store and shutdown.  The "Revit Viewer 2019" can still be used as it cannot be used for actual production work.  Oh, and Revit remembers if it was installed previously deep in the Registry, that is why it can only be installed once.  You cannot uninstall and reinstall then get another 30 day trial.  If someone wants to train on Revit past there 30 days I usually suggest to not close Revit.  Once you close everything is gone, back to the original save when on the trial license.

Autodesk has the instructions on using the Viewer here: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/H...

On the link it explains the license status for the viewer....And yes...it is legal.

As for Autodesk not responding...this is a user forum where users help users.  Until the last two years we didn't have dedicated Autodesk staff members like @Viveka_CD stopping by on a regular basis.  Some did stop by time to time though.

[chris_curley2]

I have been told by a reseller that it is against the licensing agreement to leave Evaluation products installed on PC''s after the trial period. Regarding your links I so not see any specific information regarding the licensing arrangements in relation to what happens after the evaluation period lapses, can you point them out please?

I understand we are a community where users assist users and I applaud that. Surely Autodesk monitor these forums for Analytics, User, product feedback etc. I see Autodesk people involved in most forums and discussion groups I have participated in and browsed for solutions.

Besides that I don't think we have a legal leg to stand on if we base our licensing arrangements on 'forum' advice. For that reason I think Autodesk should have a clearer stance on the issues. So far it all hearsay and opinions (my own included). Autodesk fall short on a 'rvt' viewer. AD360, navisworks, etc. are no match for Revit (viewer mode). It causes conflict between responsible IT people who do not wish to endanger licensing agreements and workers who need an adequate viewer for rvt models.  

[Anonymous]

Yeah, technically you are supposed to remove software off your computer if you no longer have a license for it.  So I see where your reseller is going with that thought.  So like if I had a BDS license and switched to the subscription license I am supposed to uninstall the BDS license that was previously activated and use the new subscription license only.

But the viewer is just a viewer.  It's just taking up lots of space on your hard drive if not in use.

I know there are people out there using Student licenses for production work, which is totally against EULA, but Autodesk never seems to do anything about it if I try to report them.  They are more concerned about Bloggers and websites using the Revit name trying to help out fellow Revit users.

[Anonymous]

BTW...if it wasn't legal, Autodesk wouldn't have it as an option to view RVT files if you don't own a license.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/H...

Most people don't like it as an option as it takes forever to download and install.

[chris_curley2]

Firstly thanks for the responses and believe me I am not intending any argument here. Until I see it in Black and White that it is legal to use then in my opinion if you do not uninstall a Revit Evaluation Product after the 30 days then you are in breach of the conditions.

Why would they have a viewer on a full product? Well if the model is opened using the viewer mode the I assume it's effectively read-only.

It is a contradiction that Autodesks Technical advice is to use the viewer (as an option) yet there EULA states different.

I have heard frim multiple resellers that to use the viewer after the 30 day period is an offence.

Maybe I'll try Autodesk direct for a response...

[Anonymous]

I tagged @Viveka_CD...was hoping she would stop by with more info. <shrug>

[Viveka_CD]

Hi @Anonymous 

I'm in touch with installation and licensing and hoping they will chime in, or I'll update once I hear back.

Thanks!

[chris_curley2]

thanks, I too also have contacted Autodesk directly..

Hopefully we get to the bottom of it once and for all...

[loboarch]

From a historical standpoint, Revit has always had a "viewer mode". The intention was if you let a license lapse, or were no longer a subscriber, the "viewer mode" allows you to get access to the file and export it out to something you can use further (print, or export to DWG) as long as the file was not modified. 

As for it being "bundled" with an evaluation copy, I think that is just the way it happens to work.

I am not on the legal team, but I have never heard of any kind of issue with someone using an expired version of an evaluation install of Revit as a viewer only.

[Viveka_CD]

Thanks, @loboarch you are the best!

[SteveKStafford]

Autodesk Help View Mode

Autodesk Help View Mode (licensing)

If the EULA contradicts their own advice I think they'd have a difficult time defending a claim that you were violating their terms using the product in a way they describe doing themselves. If merely having an expired trial version installed violates the EULA then their lawyers are trying to create paradoxes.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Thanks for all the replies and points of view, I have managed to get an official response from Autodesk..

"...

I want to inform you that you can continue using Revit in viewer mode after a 30 day evaluation because that is a free version of Revit. 

Thank you for contacting Autodesk."

Good to have it cleared up from official resource at last.

[Viveka_CD]

@Anonymous Thanks for the update!

Regards,

[Chad-Smith]

I know this is a slightly old post, but I wanted to provide a more up to date answer based on newer Autodesk information for anyone stumbling onto this post.

Autodesk is now providing a more direct answer on their Knowledge site.

It states:

"To open and review models without an active license, you can run Revit in viewer mode. Revit Viewer is intended for reviewing models and printing views and sheets without the need for a software license or subscription."

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/getting-started/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2020/...

[andris.gaujenietis]

To open and review models without an active license, you can run Revit in viewer mode. Revit Viewer is intended for reviewing models and printing views and sheets without the need for a software license or subscription.