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At one time, AutoDesk was probably the world's largest single user of
security blocks. I owned AutoCad, had a block, and it was a royal PIA,
especially on the early PC's. AutoDesk simply found that the many
architects, engineers, and builders which aquired the product legally, were
both angered and inconvenienced by the copy protection intended to curtail
usage by the dishonest. The biggest benefit of removing the block was a
significant attitude change toward the company on the part of its customers.
It should also be noted that companies like Microsoft, AutoDesk and others
have found that unlicensed copies have a benefit - serious users who become
dependent upon an unlicensed product tend to aquire licensed copies as the
product is supported, upgraded, and improved - all of which AutoDesk
performed exceedingly well. Lotus, which was the very last to remove copy
protection from it's consumer retail products e.g. Lotus 123, angered
legions of individual and corporate customers thereby creating huge
opportunities for Microsoft's "competitive upgrades".
I will also note that AutoDesk was happy to transfer my AutoCad license to
another user when I no longer needed it, so I was able to recover a
significant part of my original investment and the new user was able to
continue using and upgrading the product openly and above board. Omega is
among the minority which both implements copy protection and prohibits its
licensees from legally transferring ownership of a rather expensive
product - most licensees don't notice this until they no longer need the
product. Result: the customer loses a significant investment, the license
will never be upgraded, and there is no intermediate price point which will
attract customers who can't or won't pay the Omega's full retail.
Ultimately, a resevoir of customer bad will toward Omega will only create
opportunities for its competitors.
Earl
>I haven't licensed and don't use AutoCAD. However, two different people
>have sent me copies. I think users significantly underestimate the revenue
>that has been lost by not copy-protecting it. AutoCAD could cost those who
>do pay less, if all users paid a fair share.
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