BSA - Autodesk Software License Review

[skeletron]

Has anyone been contacted by this BSA (The Software Alliance) regarding Autodesk software license?

"...provide us with software information, certify that the company is using Autodesk licenses within the Terms of Use and/or terms of the relevant Autodesk license agreement, that [company] understands regulatory and financial risks, and best practice on purchasing, deployment, and security..."

"...Assign a person to perform a software inventory to check the deployment of your Autodesk licenses..."
"...Submit all proof of purchases for all Autodesk licenses. Your organization may upload the documentation which has been requested by the BSA License Compliance Consultant using this link or it can be emailed by replying to this email...."
"...complete and return the Declaration Form (form to be provided by BSA License Compliance Consultant once you reply)..."
"...If a purchase is deemed necessary, contact an Autodesk authorized reseller..."

I have a single-user legit license, so nothing really to hide. But the email just seems like a scam. I've read about this a bit on Reddit, but it wasn't clear whether this is actually legit or some sort of pyramid scheme to gain access to my system or to sell me something I don't want."

Any experiences to share by others?

 

[XR250]

Even if it is legit, can they make you do that?

 

[System Protection]

Seems like a good way to anger your customer base.

 

[skeletron]

I'm getting very mixed responses here...people are saying this is legit and Autodesk audits licenses, etc. Others are saying to blow it off as a security risk, gotta check with legal, get them to send another letter, wait until Autodesk suspends licenses before jumping to action.

It's just kind of frustrating as someone with a single license, used on a single computer, all legit...like, how does Autodesk's system not differentiate this.

 

[zelgar]

This sounds like what the IT Department should be handling. Based on what I see at AutoDesk's forums, this sounds legit: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inst...-from-bsa-the-software-alliance/td-p/13204271

 

[eea]

I have called AutoDesk directly when I started a new position and found an old copy of AutoCAD in my desk. I verified with them before I tried to install it and found out it was not a legit copy and simply bought a legit copy. Since you've stated you have a legit install, you should be no problem calling AutoDesk and not a third-party software alliance.

 

[skeletron]

Reaching out to AutoDesk directly was surprisingly difficult. I posted this on the AutoDesk forums and it does seem like it is common and legit. Rather than click the links in the BSA email, I requested that they send documents directly to me. They replied about a week later stating that this check was not intended for one-person operations and left it at that.

Very weird experience. AutoDesk should consider reviewing this protocol and make it come from the company URL or have some AutoDesk branding on it. The third-party software alliance did not make me feel confident that it wasn't spam.