Seven Companies Using Unlicensed Autodesk and Other Software Settle With BSA for More Than $536,000

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK), the world's leading design software and digital content company, today announced that seven companies nationwide using unlicensed Autodesk(R) and other software settled with the Business Software Alliance (BSA) for more than half a million dollars. Autodesk is a founding member of the BSA, a global organization representing the nation's leading software manufacturers to promote a safe and legal digital world.

The BSA also released today the results of an independent survey conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs (www.bsa.org/usa/2milliontuesday.cfm). According to the survey of 1,500 professionals-many of whom are in Autodesk's core industries, architecture and engineering-90 percent agree software piracy is a "risk no business can afford to take," yet 23 percent of them admit that some of the commercial software in their organization is unlicensed.

"This disconnect between belief and behavior is a contributing factor to the 22 percent piracy rate in the United States, which amounted to a loss of $6.5 billion for the software industry last year*," said Sandy Boulton, director of the Piracy Prevention Program at Autodesk. "Architects and engineers, who have a right to protect their original ideas, should respect our right to protect our intellectual property, which is our software."

Autodesk educates customers and the general public about software piracy and its damaging effects on the economy and product innovation-while aggressively seeking legal recourse against copyright infringers. Through its efforts, Autodesk has recovered more than $63 million in North America since its Piracy Prevention Program began in 1989, from settlements with companies using unauthorized Autodesk software. To find out where legal trade ends and software piracy begins or to anonymously report suspected software theft, visit www.autodesk.com/piracy or call Autodesk's Piracy Prevention Hotline at 800-NO-COPIES.

Programs like Autodesk Subscription provide customers with simplified software management and allow customers to stay up to date with the latest versions of Autodesk software, for an annual fee. Customers also receive a broad range of other technology and business benefits, including predictable budgeting. For more information, visit www.autodesk.com/subscription.

Additionally, Autodesk Consulting offers services that can help streamline business processes and help customers get the best possible return on their investment in Autodesk technology. For more information about Autodesk Consulting, including integrated consulting and training, see www.autodesk.com/consulting.

About Autodesk

Autodesk is the world's leading design software and digital content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful technology products and services. Autodesk helps customers in the building, manufacturing, infrastructure, digital media, and wireless data services fields increase the value of their digital design data and improve efficiencies across their entire project lifecycle management processes. For more information about the company, see www.autodesk.com.

*"Global Software Piracy Study," conducted by IDC for the Business Software Alliance, July 2004

NOTE: Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.

CONTACT: Nicole Pack of Autodesk, +1-415-507-6282, or nicole.pack@autodesk.com.

SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
10/12/2004
CONTACT: Nicole Pack of Autodesk, +1-415-507-6282, or nicole.pack@autodesk.com
Web site: http://www.bsa.org
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com