Customers often feel that they are being put up against the wall in audits across the board and miss a concrete factual reference or a concrete suspicion that suggests under licensing, as is actually regulated in copyright law. "In almost all software audits that we know of, the assumption is that the reason for the audit is not necessarily a suspected copyright infringement, but rather the desire of the manufacturer to sell more licenses," says Markus Oberg, Chairman of the Lighthouse Alliance, the customer alliance against software audits, which has already been joined by more than 30 companies, including many major corporations.

But what do experts advise when the notification for an Autodesk audit is on the table?

These three points are important for companies:

1. Clarify the reason and basis for the audit.

Ask why you have been selected. Is there even a suspicion and how did it come about? In addition, clarify what the legal basis of the Autodesk audit is. Does the manufacturer invoke copyright or its license agreement? This can have very different implications for the Autodesk audit. In addition, companies should clarify with legal certainty which contract was concluded with Autodesk and in which version. Often, manufacturers only offer a reference to links on their website in response to these questions. However, this does not necessarily have to be the contract that was concluded.

2. Clarify secrecy and data protection

It is important to make appropriate agreements about secrecy protection at the beginning and in further discussions. A specific NDA for the Autodesk audit is definitely advisable. This can also be done under local law – even if the contract governing the audit was agreed under Irish, Swiss or US law.

3. Close the ranks

Companies should appoint a SPOC (Single Point of Contact). Only this person communicates with the manufacturer or auditor. Doing that you ensure that unintentional, unverified information does not leak out. Manufacturers repeatedly try to obtain information in audits by all means and through all available channels.

4. Get help

Companies should not take an Autodesk audit lightly; even if they supposedly have few licenses. A few mistakes can result in large additional claims in the audit that could have easily been avoided. It is advisable to contact specialized consultants who have already been through a large number of audits. Following those, who repeatedly get it right is always the right choice.

"We secure the customer’s right in an Autodesk audit," says Christian Grave, Managing Director of ProLicense and expert in software audits. The ProLicense specialists have already gone through a multitude of license audits by Oracle, Autodesk, Micro Fokus and other vendors. "Customers should first keep calm and then work through the audit in a consistent process," Grave continues. It’s easier to do that when accompanied by an audit-experienced consultant, since the manufacturer usually exerts a lot of pressure. Via the ProLicense website, affected companies can contact audit specialists and obtain information in a non-binding initial meeting. The Autodesk audit hotline can be reached at:

https://autodesk.prolicense.com/…

Here you can find an interesting YouTube playlist about Autodesk audits:

Autodesk audit – Autodesk license audit – Autodesk compliance

Single video:

1. Autodesk audit – what’s coming up for me?
2. Autodesk Audit – Top3-Tips for companies!
3. Autodesk audit – what do experts advice?
4. Autodesk Audit – Beware of Autodesk Partners! 
5. Autodesk Audit – Be cautious with ScanWin!