Avid Pro Tools Licensing FAQ

In 2015, Avid is changing the way they do licensing with Pro Tools. They now give you a couple of different options when it comes to using Pro Tools, each with their own benefits and perks. To learn more about it, check out the FAQ from Avid below:

• What are these new Pro Tools licenses all about?
• What is a perpetual license?
• Will my Pro Tools perpetual license stop working at the end of the one-year upgrade and support plan period?
• If I have a Pro Tools perpetual license and my upgrade and support plan expires, what are my options if I want to upgrade later on?
• If I buy Pro Tools software, does it include an upgrade/support plan?
• Is Pro Tools Ultimate software available as a subscription?
• What happens if I allow my Pro Tools subscription to lapse?
• What happens if I sell my Pro Tools | HDX or HD Native hardware?
• Why do I need a support plan? I rarely need tech support now.
• How does support in the new Pro Tools offerings differ from previous support included with Pro Tools?
• I get free Pro Tools updates now from Avid. What is the difference in the way that Avid will release updates and upgrades in the future?
• Will I still get bug fix updates if I don’t get an upgrade and support plan?
• Do my plug-ins require a separate upgrade and support plan, and will they ever expire?
• Does my upgrade and support plan start from the purchase date or activation date?
• Can I still purchase an Avid Support Code (ASC) for one-time support call needs?
• Will I have to surrender my old license when I upgrade to the latest version of Pro Tools? Will I lose my old Pro Tools license too?
• Can I use my current iLok with the latest software?

Q. What are these new Pro Tools licenses all about?

Q. What is a perpetual license?
A. A “perpetual license” is a license that does not expire—you own the software. You get a perpetual license when you purchase a new Pro Tools or Pro Tools | HD system or Pro Tools software. New Pro Tools software purchases come with a one-year annual upgrade and support plan. After one year, you have the option of renewing your plan to continue receiving the latest features. If you choose not to renew, you can continue using your software indefinitely at the latest version you have, but will not be able to upgrade it at a later time.

Q. Will my Pro Tools perpetual license stop working at the end of the one-year upgrade and support plan period?
A. No, you can continue to use Pro Tools if you allow your upgrade and support plan to expire. However, if you want to continue receiving updates with new features, you will need to renew your plan before it expires or switch to a subscription. Pro Tools and Pro Tools | HD owners will have through the end of 2015 to get on an annual upgrade and support plan. If you don’t get on a plan, you will not be able to upgrade your software in the future.

Q: If I have a Pro Tools perpetual license and my upgrade and support plan expires, what are my options if I want to upgrade later on?
A: You will have two options to get access to the latest version of Pro Tools:

• Subscribe to Pro Tools software on a monthly or annual basis
• Purchase a new Pro Tools perpetual license (full product) that includes an annual upgrade and support plan

Q: If I buy Pro Tools software, does it include an upgrade/support plan?
A: Yes, as long as you purchase the version of Pro Tools that states “Pro Tools Software with Standard Support”.

Q. Is Pro Tools Ultimate oftware available as a subscription?
A. Yes. Pro Tools Ultimate is available as a 1-year subscription.

Q. What happens if I allow my Pro Tools subscription to lapse?
A. You will no longer be able to use Pro Tools after your subscription lapses. If your subscription has lapsed and you wish to continue using Pro Tools, simply start a new monthly or annual subscription.

Q. What happens if I sell my Pro Tools | HDX or HD Native hardware?
A. We’ve updated the process for transferring pre-owned audio products to include software licensing and hardware. If you sell a system, you will need to transfer the registration to the new owner to ensure that the product is listed under his/her name, so he/she can receive software updates when available and repair and/or exchange hardware (repair fees may apply). Please note that you currently cannot transfer Pro Tools software that has been upgraded to a new upgrade and support plan or new Pro Tools products that include an upgrade and support plan. Find information on our transfer of ownership policy here.

Q: Why do I need a support plan?
A: This plan also provides 12 months of Pro Tools updates and upgrades, so you always have the latest features. You will also get a higher level of support. This approach enables Avid to deliver more frequent feature upgrades on an ongoing basis—no more waiting for the next big Pro Tools release.

Q. How does support in the new Pro Tools offerings differ from previous support included with Pro Tools?
A. Before, Pro Tools upgrades included a limited amount of support cases, either through the web or phone, within the first 60 days of owning your product. If you needed additional help, you had to either purchase a support plan or an Avid Support Code (ASC) to get per-incident help for a fee. Our new support offerings provide software updates/upgrades, unlimited web support, and either one support phone call per month for Pro Tools or unlimited calls for Pro Tools | HD, for the duration of your plan. It’s like getting one year of updates and upgrades, plus support, for the price of a single upgrade. For more information, visit the Pro Tools Licensing webpage.

Q. I get free Pro Tools updates now from Avid. What is the difference in the way that Avid will release updates and upgrades in the future?
A. While we’ve released no-cost updates to fix technical issues between major releases, “upgrades”—releases that provide new tools and functionality—have always been provided for a fee. With this new model, we can provide new features on a more frequent basis. The new upgrade and support plans give you access to every new feature as soon as it’s available, and you get peace of mind knowing that technical support is always available to you.

Q. Will I still get bug fix updates if I don’t get an upgrade and support plan?
A. We will continue to release Pro Tools 11 bug fix only updates at no cost through December 31, 2015.

Q. Do my plug-ins require a separate upgrade and support plan, and will they ever expire?
A. We are not changing the licensing or support model for Avid plug-ins at this time. Most Avid plug-ins are currently available as perpetual license purchases (you own the plug-in and can use it forever), or as 7- or 31-day rentals, which expire after the allotted time. If you have third-party plug-ins, the developer provides support. Please note that Pro Tools | First will only run plug-ins purchased through the App Store in the Avid Marketplace.

Q: Does my upgrade and support plan start from the purchase date or activation date?
A: Your plan is valid for one year from the time you activate your new Pro Tools software. The same applies to Pro Tools users who buy an upgrade and support plan, which also requires activation.

Q: Can I still purchase an Avid Support Code (ASC) for one-time support call needs?
A: Yes, but keep in mind that if you take advantage of the new upgrade and support plans that now come with Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate, you will have access to more support resources and will likely not need to purchase an ASC.

Q. Will I have to surrender my old license when I upgrade to the latest version of Pro Tools? Will I lose the old Pro Tools license too?
A. You will need to surrender your old licenses, but you will receive a new license bundle that contains Pro Tools 12 (when available), Pro Tools 11, and Pro Tools 10, so you can still use the older versions.

Q. Can I use my current iLok with the latest software?
A. An iLok USB key is required to run the latest version of Pro Tools and Pro Tools Ultimate. If you don’t have an iLok key and have a steady internet connection, you can activate the license to the iLok Cloud. Learn more in our guide about iLok activation.

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