Question about academic versions

T

TommyAF

Member
I'm currently waiting on Media Composer 3.0 because I need the Vista support. I have a sister who is in college and could use to get me the academic pricing on it. My question is would taking that route cause any problems for me in the future when it comes to upgrading? Surely I can't be the only one who's thought of this in order to get a price break.
 
Well, if you plan on using this software to make money and you have someone else buy the Academic version because it's cheaper, you're violating the EULA and thereby breaking the law.

The academic version is sold to students, universities, and the faculty of universities for educational purposes only. If you're proposing your sister buys this so you can edit for paying clients...that's shoddy and unprofessional. Plus, you can't upgrade it.

Just pony up the cash and buy 2.8 right now. If you purchase now it's a free upgrade to MC 3.0 when it comes out.


Michael.
 
I don't edit for paying clients, I'm just trying to make an independent film and remain on budget. I guess you'll say that's illegal too, but it seems like more of an ethical dilemma than anything else.
 
I dont think that is ilegal, as long as you arent making money as an editor. I'm not 100% sure about that tho.
 
You seem to be in a gray area - you won't be using the software for financial gain right now. But the lawyers will argue, what if that indy film makes money? Or what if it doesn't make you any money directly, but gets you a job that does pay money?


I doubt anyone will look into it, but it's best to play by the rules on this one. Sorry.
 
devjt2 said:
Or what if it doesn't make you any money directly, but gets you a job that does pay money?
Click to expand...

Isn't it the purpose of an educational/academic version is to get a job that does pay money in the future? If we invest our time and money in an education but did not expect to make some money in the future then what is the point of an education. However, I must qualify my statements by saying that this applies only to the person who is actually attending a school or is a student. In this case, your sister and not you. If she purchased it, study/learned/taking courses in it, then I see no problem in making money in the future because that's what an education is suppose to do for a person.
 
Read the license agreement carefully and check FAQ's on the site because it is different from company to company. I know most academic versions will not let you upgrade and it can only be used for personal use but some companies like Steinberg treat their academic versions just like the full version where the only difference is cost.
 
Just a little side question. On avid's site it says vista 64 bit business compatibility. Does this mean that no other version of vista 64 (ie ultimate) will work?
 
That's for Media Composer 3.0, which isn't released yet. More details should emerge once it's released, but if it says Business, I'd stick with Business. The more your system matches an Avid qualified system the less likely you are to have problems.

Michael.
 
I know all the legalities of academic use but just curious but why all the fear factor? Granted, both my FCP & Avid licenses are current and paid for but there's this whole doomsday software / audit police thing. Academic, pirate resellers are easy targets and have been hit in recent months. Beyond that, there's this prevalent paranoia among board users about what 'may' happen if found out.

I'm probably inviting an unnecessary audit just typing this but everyone's so spooked about that educational area. As if nerds will come fast-roping out of a Black Hawk helicopter - "We need to see those software keys now! Step away from the mouse! Don't even think about it!". Geez..... This isn't some Orwellian state or mainland China. Oh, well - now I'm in trouble. Somehow.
 
It's not a matter of paranoia or fear of some secret software police. The issue at hand is ethics, plain and simple.
 
milksac said:
It's not a matter of paranoia or fear of some secret software police. The issue at hand is ethics, plain and simple.
Click to expand...
Nothing plain and simple about ethics. Didn't mean to hijack the thread. Ethically speaking, a decision to pursue the 'good life' is one of personal choice. Just as a consumer exercises freedom of choice when purchasing a product. Dictating how someone acts and what they do with their dollar does not involve ethics. If you feel it's ethical to do what a company told you to AND feel that it's ethical to instruct others to behave likewise, that is your choice. I paid full price because it's required by law. No ethics involved.
 
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