Autodesk announced a date when it will cut perpetual licenses

For individual desktop software products, including Autodesk 3ds Max perpetual licenses will be sold until January 31, 2016.

For design and creation suite products, perpetual licenses will be sold until July 31, 2016.

When this takes effect, the company will provide new, simplified subscription options so customers can access multiple products and share licenses as they do today; while gaining the simplicity, accessibility, and flexibility of subscription. Subscription offers a simplified customer experience, lower upfront cost and the ability to pay-as-you-go for Autodesk products and cloud services with multi-year, annual, quarterly or monthly subscription terms. As a result, companies can adjust more nimbly and with less cost to shifting business environments.

The way we design and make things is changing: every industry is being disrupted by changes in production, demand and products,” said Andrew Anagnost, Autodesk senior vice president of Industry Strategy & Marketing. “Autodesk is embracing this new norm and evolving our business so that customers can thrive in theirs. Giving customers the flexibility to subscribe to software solutions that precisely match their needs best positions them to compete in this new era.

Earlier this year, Autodesk communicated that it will stop selling perpetual licenses of most individual products after January 31, 2016, with new licenses for these products available as subscriptions. Transitioning the remaining majority of Autodesk’s product portfolio — including Autodesk Design & Creation Suites — to an entirely subscription-based offering represents the next step in this shift.

Choice and Flexibility for Customers During Transition

To pave the way for a smooth transition, Autodesk will offer a choice of simplified subscription plans tailored to the needs of individuals, teams or enterprises. Customers will be able to purchase subscription plans to gain access to individual products or a portfolio of products with the option of single user licensing or shared network licensing. These flexible options protect and optimize customers’ existing investments in Autodesk technologies and deliver a seamless path forward as Autodesk discontinues the sales of perpetual licenses.

Those who purchase a perpetual license of Autodesk Design & Creation Suites and affected products prior to July 31, 2016, will continue to own and have full usage rights for those licenses, and customers on Maintenance for those perpetual licenses will continue to receive corresponding benefits for as long as they continue to renew their Maintenance.

For full details on today’s announcement and subscription options, please visit https://www.autodesk.com/perpetuallicenses

Image by Evermotion - Archmodels vol. 154 cover.