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News Release

Ukrainian National Sentenced to 35 Months for Software Piracy

May 09, 2006
    Autodesk Works With U.S. Attorney's Office to Protect its Intellectual
                                   Property

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSK) announced today that Maksym Vysochanskyy, a Ukrainian national, was sentenced today in a San Jose, California, federal court to 35 months in prison, three years probation, and deportation to his native country of Ukraine. Vysochanskyy pled "guilty" in November 2005 to charges of criminal copyright infringement, trafficking in counterfeit goods and illegal monetary transactions -- which included selling pirated copies of software from Autodesk, Adobe, Borland and Microsoft on the Internet. Having been in custody in Thailand since May 2003, Vysochanskyy was extradited to the U.S. in March 2004.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO )

"We estimate that Vysochanskyy sold approximately $1 million worth of Autodesk products over the Internet. Consumers should beware of software sold over the Internet by individuals as they could be engaging in illegal activities," said Sandy Boulton, director of License Compliance at Autodesk. "We are grateful to the law enforcement agencies that, together with Autodesk, go to great lengths to bring copyright infringers like Vysochanskyy to justice."

United States Attorney Kevin V. Ryan stated, "This ground-breaking case demonstrates the resolve of this office and its pioneering CHIP Unit to combat the theft of the nation's intellectual property, whether the threat arises at home or from abroad. It also serves as an example to individuals abroad who seek to profit from the theft of our nation's intellectual property that the Department of Justice will vigorously seek their extradition to the United States to achieve justice."

As part of its License Compliance Program, Autodesk educates customers and the general public about software piracy and its damaging effects on the economy and product innovation-while seeking legal recourse against copyright infringers. Customers are offered toolkits and information to help them implement sound software management policies. 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 License Compliance Hotline at 1-800-NO COPIES.

About Autodesk

Autodesk, Inc. is a Fortune 1000 company, wholly focused on ensuring that great ideas are turned into reality. With seven million users, Autodesk is the world's leading software and services company for the manufacturing, infrastructure, building, media and entertainment, and wireless data services fields. Autodesk's solutions help customers create, manage and share their data and digital assets more effectively. As a result, customers turn ideas into competitive advantage, become more productive, streamline project efficiency and maximize profits.

Founded in 1982, Autodesk is headquartered in San Rafael, California. For additional information about Autodesk, please visit www.autodesk.com.

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, 415-507-6282

Email: nicole.pack@autodesk.com


SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
Web site: http://www.autodesk.com
(ADSK)