Licensing of files from student licenses?

Elarionus

This is gonna sound like a weird question...but if I make something in Max and then move it over to Blender to finish it up, is it still a student marked product? Will I be able to use it for freelance work?

Mark Dygert

Its kind of a gray area in that it might be harder to catch you... But it's not gray legally, that's pretty clear. You're screwed if they catch you and decide to come after you. Which is highly likely if you're making money off of using the software, even a little.

You're basically making the same calculation as a shoplifter. Most stores won't go after someone that only lifts $10 or under every other year. They might see you and just decide its not worth the hassle. But you might get bold and steal $10.01 or hit the same store in the same week and they decide to bust you.

Legally you don't have a leg to stand on, they have lawyers that can reign down legal hell. The closest thing you have to legal representation is that you where probably born in the same decade that "My Cousin Vinny" came out? 

It's a calculation you have to make on your own. If you're looking for polycount stamp of approval you'll probably not get it.

Elarionus

Mark Dygert said:

Its kind of a gray area in that it might be harder to catch you... But it's not gray legally, that's pretty clear. You're screwed if they catch you and decide to come after you. Which is highly likely if you're making money off of using the software, even a little.

You're basically making the same calculation as a shoplifter. Most stores won't go after someone that only lifts $10 or under every other year. They might see you and just decide its not worth the hassle. But you might get bold and steal $10.01 or hit the same store in the same week and they decide to bust you.

Legally you don't have a leg to stand on, they have lawyers that can reign down legal hell. The closest thing you have to legal representation is that you where probably born in the same decade that "My Cousin Vinny" came out? 

It's a calculation you have to make on your own. If you're looking for polycount stamp of approval you'll probably not get it.

No, I just wanted to make sure that that was how it worked before I made a stupid mistake. I don't want to jump into that area for sure, I just couldn't afford Max. It turns out, Modo's educational setup apparently is commercial, so I'll just continue learning that. Thanks for the quick reply!

Mark Dygert

They did structure it in a smart way, just like their software. They are also very open to negotiation and they appreciate that you're trying to do the right thing and they usually work with someone.

It's not free forever, and they are looking to get paid but I think they realize that, its studios and indpendant contractors that make up the bulk of their revenue and people learning, which is really nice.

I'm not sure if you can actually do commercial work with the student version though? It would be interesting if you could. Maybe the graduate version is commercially viable but I don't think that it's free, its just deeply discounted for a year after the student version runs out?

The way I understand it is that for the first year it's free, then 3 years of student at $250 for all three years, but it's not commercial.
Then a year of graduate, which may or may not be commercial, then an upgrade to full commercial with a 70% discount for those that apply and get approved.

It's a much better path than Autodesk thats for sure.

Good luck with whatever you do, it's a crazy path to get into this biz... and a crazy time while your here, ha!

Elarionus

Mark Dygert said:

They did structure it in a smart way, just like their software. They are also very open to negotiation and they appreciate that you're trying to do the right thing and they usually work with someone.

It's not free forever, and they are looking to get paid but I think they realize that, its studios and indpendant contractors that make up the bulk of their revenue and people learning, which is really nice.

I'm not sure if you can actually do commercial work with the student version though? It would be interesting if you could. Maybe the graduate version is commercially viable but I don't think that it's free, its just deeply discounted for a year after the student version runs out?

The way I understand it is that for the first year it's free, then 3 years of student at $250 for all three years, but it's not commercial.
Then a year of graduate, which may or may not be commercial, then an upgrade to full commercial with a 70% discount for those that apply and get approved.

It's a much better path than Autodesk thats for sure.

Good luck with whatever you do, it's a crazy path to get into this biz... and a crazy time while your here, ha!

The main reason I say that is because Modo says "each license provides access to non-limited commercial versions of the software." With regards to my version, of course. I appreciate the feedback though, and I look forward to the industry! Better than sitting in front of excel.