MCAD: Autodesk Sues Open Design alliance

SeanDotson · **Posted:** Tue, 21 Nov 2006 10:00:34 +0000

Randall Newton reports that Autodesk has filed suit against the Open Design Alliance for trademark infringement.

Autodesk is asking that

Quote:

the ODA and all licensees to stop distribution of products containing DWGdirect 2007 libraries, to recall all products containing DWGdirect 2007 code, to identify to Autodesk any recipients of the DWGdirect 2007 code, and to correct any DWG files “that contain or mimic the unauthorized Autodesk watermarks or TrustedDWG code.”

If successful this would affect a large number of companies including Solidworks who uses the ODA's libraries in their DWGGateway products.

http://aecnews.com/articles/2098.aspx

Teun Ham · **Posted:** Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:05:27 +0000

I had a feeling at the time Autodesk announced the "TrustedDWG" concept, that this stuff was going to happen...

gildashard · **Posted:** Tue, 21 Nov 2006 11:34:41 +0000

What's next "TrustedDOC" or "TrustedXls" from Microsoft. Autodesk is trying to trademark the dwg file format....certainly a step back in keep things open.

A lot of cad companies use the ODA libraries, wonder if they will throw in their support?

SeanDotson · **Posted:** Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:33:24 +0000

gildashard wrote:

A lot of cad companies use the ODA libraries, wonder if they will throw in their support?

I would assume they would considering it would seriously impact their business models.

MattH · **Joined:** 27 Apr 2004 **Posts:** 102

gildashard wrote:

What's next "TrustedDOC" or "TrustedXls" from Microsoft. Autodesk is trying to trademark the dwg file format....certainly a step back in keep things open.

A lot of cad companies use the ODA libraries, wonder if they will throw in their support?

Although I agree 1 file format for all CAD packages is the ultimate goal (I can share with/from anyone) I have to admit, I understand why "Autodesk is trying to trademark the dwg file format"
Afterall, it is theres to trademark. They wrote it and they did the hard work.
If Pepsi where to make "Open Coke Cola", an admitted copy of the original, no one would bat an eyelid if Coke decided to sue..

gildashard · **Posted:** Thu, 23 Nov 2006 09:00:32 +0000

Files belong to the customer.....their software belongs to them. Imagine the uproar if Microsoft tried lockout the "Doc" format.

MattH · **Joined:** 27 Apr 2004 **Posts:** 102

gildashard wrote:

Files belong to the customer.....their software belongs to them. Imagine the uproar is Microsoft tried lockout the "Doc" format.

"Files belong to the customer..... "
AGREE

"their software belongs to them"
DISAGREE - Software remains propery of the developer, customer only has right to USE the software (unfortunate but true, read your license agreements)

"Imagine the uproar is Microsoft tried lockout the "Doc" format"
Autodesk is (currently) not trying to lockout the format, the legal action is purely because OpenDWG's 2007 libraries 'claim' to be Autodesk DWG 2007 originals.
If your cheap jeans look like Levi's thats OK, if they claim to BE Levi's then thats a problem

gildashard · **Posted:** Thu, 23 Nov 2006 20:31:11 +0000

Actually, when I said them, I meant the developer. You just buy the right to use it.

Yeah....the ODA should probably just pull out the "TrustedDWG" code....its really not that big a deal. Just gives people an annoying pop up.

Frans X Liebenberg · **Joined:** 29 Jan 2004 **Posts:** 1064

back in the days when AutoCAD Lt cost 20% of a full version, there were lots of companies supplying add ins that gave Lt back the capabilities that full autocad has. adsk then raised the price of Lt to about 50% of vanilla acad to force people to buy the full version. I cant remember if there was not also some legal stuff against some developers.
this is just the 800lb gorilla trying for some more market share.

MCAD: Autodesk Sues Open Design alliance

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