F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions)

What licences can I purchase here in this shop?

We generally supply perpetual licences – unless otherwise stated in the offer. These remain usable indefinitely and there are no additional costs.

The purchase price is final – there are no additional fees or rental payments.

Advantages of purchased licenses

Perpetual licences are purchased once and remain usable indefinitely – without any ongoing fees. You benefit from three key advantages:

  • Independence:You are not tied to updates or the manufacturer's infrastructure.
  • Cost efficiency:Significantly cheaper in the medium term, as there are no follow-up costs.
  • Residual value:The software retains a resale value – we will be happy to make you a purchase offer.

Why can I only find new Autodesk or Vectorworks licences for hire elsewhere?

Since 2016, Autodesk has been offering its software exclusively on a subscription model – purchase versions have step by step been completely removed from the programme. Customers now pay regular fees (monthly or annually) for use. The same applies to Vectorworks licences since the beginning of 2024.
The companies justified this change with a group-wide restructuring and the goal of higher sales. For customers, however, this means two significant disadvantages: rising total costs for medium-term or long-term use and less flexibility, as the option of a one-time purchase is no longer available.

Why can I still purchase Autodesk licences here if Autodesk itself no longer offers them?

Special feature of our offer: We sell licences that were purchased before Autodesk switched to the subscription model. Many of these licences have been upgraded to newer versions through maintenance contracts, which means we can offer purchase licences for versions that Autodesk itself never sold as purchase versions.

Example: A customer purchases AutoCAD 2015 in 2015 and signs a maintenance contract. During the contract period until the end of 2020, several new versions are released – the customer automatically receives all updates up to the latest version (AutoCAD 2021). After the maintenance contract expires, they retain this version permanently.

Result: You receive an unlimited purchase licence that you can also transfer to other users.


Why can I still purchase Vectorworks licences here if the manufacturer itself no longer offers them?

As with Autodesk licences, the following also applies here: Perpetual licences that were placed on the market before the switch to the new licence model are subject to the principle of exhaustion of European copyright law. This means that these licences are freely tradable and can be transferred from the current licence holder to a new licence holder in a legally compliant manner.

Is the offer from CAD-Software.eu legally secure?

Absolutely. The licence transfer is usually carried out directly by the respective manufacturer or rights holder. This means you receive a legally compliant, registered licence that is fully equivalent in scope and validity to a licence purchased directly from the manufacturer. Your rights of use are therefore transparently documented and legally secured.
As a general rule: The sale and use of used software licenses are 100% legal within the European Union. This was confirmed by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in its landmark ruling on July 3, 2012 (Case C-128/11), and further substantiated by the German Federal Court of Justice (BGH).

What are the requirements for a legal transfer?

For a license transfer to be valid and audit-proof, several conditions must be met:

  • The license was originally placed on the market within the EU/EEA with the manufacturer's consent.
  • The license is a perpetual (unlimited) purchase, not a subscription.
  • The previous owner has rendered their copy unusable (uninstalled/deleted) at the time of sale.

Can the manufacturer block the transfer?

No. According to the Principle of Exhaustion, a software manufacturer’s right to control the distribution of a copy is "exhausted" once it is sold for the first time. They cannot legally prevent the resale of that copy, regardless of what is stated in their EULA (End User License Agreement).

How long does a licence transfer take?

As each licence transfer is a separate process, it is not possible to give a definitive statement on the processing time in advance. We will, of course, monitor the process closely and take proactive action in the event of any delays. As a rule, the transfer takes place within 1 to 5 working days; this applies to around 95% of all cases.

What is the difference between a single-user licence and a network licence?

A single-user licence – also known as a nodelocked licence – is permanently linked to a specific computer or workstation. It can only be used on this device; transferring it to other systems usually requires a separate licence release or transfer by the manufacturer.

In contrast, there is the network licence, often referred to as a floating licence or concurrent licence. This is a flexible licensing model in which a defined pool of licences is managed centrally, for example via a licence server. Multiple users within a network can access the software, but simultaneous use is limited to the number of licences purchased. As soon as a user exits the application, one licence is released again and can be used by others.

Network licences are particularly advantageous for organisations with changing usage requirements, as they enable efficient licence distribution. They are ideal for larger teams, project-related use or scenarios with staggered access. They are usually managed via a licence management system that monitors the number of active sessions and also provides usage statistics if required.

Do you have any questions? If you have any queries, our customer service team is available during business hours Mo. - Fr.: 8:00 - 13:00 by telephone or email.

Disclaimer:Certain sections of this page provide a general overview of the legal situation in the EU and do not constitute formal legal advice.