A couple of days ago, someone offered me to buy his genuine SolidWorks license.
He told me a fellow businessman of him sold his license to another company too.
He said that when I ask for a transfer request, I will receive some kind of transfer-form from SolidWorks.
Is this true? Or is it just not possible to buy a secondhand license without taking over a whole company?
Thanks in advance,
Ted
yes I understand, that's the point.
I want to know if there's a way to transfer the license.
And if there is, where can I arrange it?
SolidWorks license sales are handled by VAR's (Value Added Resellers). You can go to Find a SolidWorks Reseller | SOLIDWORKS to find the one for your area, or find out which VAR the person you're dealing with has his with and contact them.
It may be an illegal copy, or the license may expire within a few months.
Don't trust second-hand sellers.
the licence can't finish (subscription plan - can) but subscription is without time limit - of course SW can cancel the licence, but it doesn't have time limitation on.
It is my understanding is that the license prohibits transferring ownership of SolidWorks, except in the cases of a company being bought out by another, or being sold because of bankruptcy. This has always bugged me, since it means that a company purchasing this $6,000 seat is stuck, if they later decide it is not the right package for them. A 30 day trial is not nearly enough time to really evaluate how the program fits into your company's work flow.
I would love to be able to purchase an older seat at a greatly discounted price for one of the companies, since they do no need to read current files. With Dassault's new policy for subscriptions, I suspect that many more older seats will be available, that are not upgradable. the bankruptcy sources might be another source. But this is not really viable, unless somehow the bankruptcy courts would list all the SW license somewhere where you could find them.
I also have another situation. I am currently working for two companies, part-time at each. They are both candidates to start using SolidWorks. However, the cost is a major problem. With my work being split between two companies, I wonder if the better choice might be for me to personally own the software, and the two companies pay me enough to cover the investment.
To one of the companies I suggested the idea that a sub-division be created to own the software. Then, they can sell that sub-division at a later date, if they decide the software is not working out, or they just no longer have the need. But, I don't know if that idea is really workable.
Do not buy it. In fact, the person offering to sell it would be breaking copyright law if they did sell it.
The first main line of the SOLIDWORKS End User License agreement is: "DS SolidWorks grants to you a nonexclusive, nontransferable license to use the Software and the printed and/or electronic user documentation (the "Documentation") accompanying the Software in accordance with this Agreement."
SOLIDWORKS and most software in general is not like buying a hammer or a drill. It's not a physical object you can handle. Unfortunately, you can't just sell it once you don't need it.
You never actually own much of any software unless you're the person who wrote it. Instead, you purchase a license allowing you to use that software. This is the case with SOLIDWORKS. Per the license agreement is it nontransferable, so it cannot be sold or traded.
Think of it like a driver's license. It allows you to drive, but you can't just sell your license to allow someone else to drive.
The only way to get a license from another company legally is to buy the whole company. To get a transfer, you will have to show proof that a company was purchased and lot of other work. Really, if someone is offering to sell a license, it's likely a shady license that will either not ever be able to work for you, or will end up getting you a letter and a bill from SOLIDWORKS' lawyers.
As far as I know, you are absolutely correct Nick
you can buy it, but there's no guarantee that SW will agree to transfer (most likely not).
but you can always buy it - just not be able to use it