Avid to Offer Temporary Licenses To Help Customers Impacted By COVID-19
To support users who find themselves caught at home without a Pro Tools, Media Composer or Sibelius license as a result of COVID-19, late last night Avid announced that they will be offering free 90-day licenses to help you keep going.
Please read the article in full including the recently added FAQ section as Avid are getting a lot of calls from people who are not eligible for the temporary licenses.
Avid’s Statement
“As an added measure to assist our community in adjusting their workflows to accommodate COVID-19 virus precautions, Avid will be providing temporary licenses of our creative tools to customers at no charge. Starting Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 17 for those users who are unable to access their systems at their facilities and thus must work from home, we will provide 90-day licenses for Media Composer Ultimate, Pro Tools, Pro Tools Ultimate, or Sibelius Ultimate. In addition, any student of an institution that uses our products who is unable to attend school and can no longer access school facilities can receive a 90-day license of the same products. Avid will make details available soon.”
UPDATE: Sunday March 15th 18:30 GMT
Avid has posted the following on Facebook…
Hello everyone…. Below are details on how Avid plans to assist our community in adjusting their workflows to accommodate COVID-19 virus precautions.
As you know, coronavirus cases (COVID-19) have increased around the world, more businesses are mandating employees work from home. With this mandate, many of our larger customers are asking about getting employees access to licenses for an interim amount of time, so that they can work from home, and continue to deliver on their projects, assignments, deliverables. As a result, Avid is making available to those organizations additional remote licenses for employees to use during this crisis. We have developed a process by which these licenses can be requested, and we will look to deliver them as quickly as possible.
Also, many educational institutes are closing down facilities and requiring their students to continue their learning efforts from home. Any student enrolled in an Avid course at a qualifying educational institution who is unable to attend school and can no longer access school facilities may receive a temporary license to the Avid Creative Tools (see below).
How Avid is assisting: On Monday, March 16, 2020, through to Friday, April 17, 2020, for those who are unable to access their systems at their facilities and thus must work from home, we will provide directions on how to access 90-day temporary licenses of Media Composer Ultimate, Pro Tools, Pro Tools Ultimate, or Sibelius Ultimate subject to some restrictions which will be outlined later. In addition, any student enrolled in an Avid course at a qualifying educational institution who is unable to attend school and/or has no access to school facilities may also receive a temporary license to the products identified above.
Eligibility: The temporary licenses will only be provided to a user whose company or educational institution owns the same product being requested, and the product is either on an active subscription or under an active upgrade and support contract. A maximum of one license will be provided per one owned and the license will be provided for 90 days.
*** ALP: If you are an Avid Learning Partner, (ALP) member, you should have received instructions from Avid’s ALP Program team directly. Please follow those instructions for providing licenses to your students.
Microsite: On Monday, March 16, 2020, the complete details of the Avid Creative Product FOC License Instructions will be provided on a dedicated microsite.
UPDATED: Thursday 19th March 15:30 GMT With Additional Information
How To Get A Free 90-day Avid License
Important information…
Licenses are intended for those companies whose offices and facilities have been closed due to precautionary measures related to COVID-19. The program is not intended for individual users who already own or rent their own copy of an Avid creative product and wish to receive a free-of-charge temporary license.
Companies should submit the request for licenses on behalf of their employees. If you are an employee – either full time, contractual or freelance – working for a company that has asked you to work from home, you should request your employer to make a request for a license on your behalf.
Educational institutions should submit bulk requests on behalf of their students, rather than sending individual students to make requests directly. • Students who are in need of a license should submit a request to their school to obtain one. • Users will receive a Registration (also known as Redemption or Activation) code via email, which
Users will receive a Registration (also known as Redemption or Activation) code via email, which they will need to deposit in their My Avid account or www.avid.com/register. Internet access is required.
Their 90-day license will begin at the time they register the code.
Installers and the 90-day license will be deposited in their account.
Licenses will only be provided for the following products:
Media Composer Ultimate
Pro Tools
Pro Tools Ultimate
Sibelius Ultimate
Licenses will only be provided to users whose company or educational institution owns the same product being requested, and the product is either an active subscription or under an active upgrade and support contract. A maximum of one license will be provided per one owned and active license.
Codes must be deposited by April 17, 2020, to receive the free license.
Media Composer Ultimate licenses will only run 2018.9 or higher
How to Request a License…
Customers who require a license will need to provide the following information for each user that needs a license.
First and Last Name
Email Address of My Avid Account
For students that may not have a My Avid Account, they can create one and then submit their request.
For site administrators who will be centralizing the registration of licenses and will only be using one My Avid Account, simply specify that on the request and include the total number of licenses you will need.
Product License needed:
Media Composer Ultimate
Pro Tools
Pro Tools Ultimate
Sibelius Ultimate
Country
Company or School you are associated with
Send the request to the email address for your geography:
Upon receipt of your request, Avid may contact you via email for more information or to clarify the information provided.
Once the request is complete and accepted by Avid, you will receive the registration code(s) via email and will need to deposit into your My Avid Account
Requests will be monitored and answered during normal business hours for the geography you are in. Avid will attempt to respond within 24 business hours.
If you have an Enterprise Agreement with Avid, please feel free to reach out to your Sales Representative directly to make a request for FOC licenses.
UPDATE: Thursday 19th March 15:30 GMT
COVID-19 FOC Temporary Licensing FAQ
General Questions:
Q: Are the creative tool products being issued the same as purchased subscription products?
A: Yes. The 90-day Free-of-charge (FOC) licenses are being issued through Registration (also known as Redemption or Activation) codes that customers will deposit in their My Avid Account. There is no difference between a temporary license of, for example, Sibelius | Ultimate and a month-to-month or yearly subscription, except the temporary license will automatically expire after 90 days and cannot be renewed. Note, too, that the 90-day license does not need to “call home” every 30 days, unlike a traditional month-to-month license purchased via the webstore.
Q: What are the requirements to take advantage of this temporary offer?
A: Temporary Licenses will only be provided to users whose facility or educational institution owns the same product being requested, and the product is either on an active subscription or under an active upgrade and support contract. Facilities are expected to make requests on behalf of all of their users, and then distribute licenses at their discretion. Any student enrolled in an Avid course at a qualifying educational institution who is unable to attend school and/or has no access to school facilities may also receive a temporary license to the creative tool products based on what they use. All students – including those who attend an ALP institution – should work through their school to receive a license. Schools are expected to make requests for FOC licenses on behalf of their students.
Q: What are the system requirements for use of these temporary Licenses?
A: Like the month-to-month and yearly subscriptions of our creative tool products, the system requirements for each product can be found at:
Q: Who will be handling the email addresses that Avid is directing users and students too?
A: The 3 email addresses being used for this FOC temporary process will be addressed by:
Q: I have used a 30-day trial in the past on my system. If I qualify to get access to a FOC license, does this affect me running the 90-day FOC license?
A: The FOC licenses are licensed/activated just like regular subscriptions. If an old trial is still installed on the system, it’s best to uninstall it before installing the new version from your Avid Master Account.
Q: How will the FOC temporary license be provided?
A: Once the facility, user, student or school follows the procedures set forth here, Avid will provide a redemption code for each license requested. Simply go to www.avid.com/register and sign in. If you do not have an account, then create one. You will be redirected to https://my.avid.com/products/redemption Enter your code and click on the Activate button. Once complete, you'll have access to your new System ID and Activation ID and your downloads ( Mac and PC ) in you’re My Products section.
For help activating, see:
Q: I am a student; how do I obtain a temporary license?
A: Students should contact their school to receive their FOC license. Schools are expected to make requests on behalf of their students and then provide the licenses to the students as they see fit. For students that may not have a MyAvid Account, they can create one at https://my.avid.com/account/orientation
Q: I am at an educational facility and need a temp license. How do I know if my school is initiating this or if I should do it myself?
A: Students should check with their school administrator first to acquire a license. If students are unable to do so, they can email Avid using the process outlined here: https://www.avid.com/covid-19
Q: I'm a French teacher working at home with my students. Before this year, I was a post-production manager in charge of documentaries in different press offices. I would like to use Avid to prepare courses for my students (videos) to make it easier for them to understand. Do you think it is possible for me to have free access for 90 days?
A: Unfortunately, Avid can’t provide you with a temporary license for the scenario you outlined. The FOC Temporary licensing program is for organizations and students who already own/use the products and are being required to work from home due to COVID-19. You can certainly take advantage of the 30-day trial for our Creative Tools or buy a month to month subscription license.
Q: I just installed Media Composer, but I didn't notice that the 90-day temporary license program just started. Can I get a 90-day FOC version if I reinstall the program? Or are there any other solution?
A: If you are at a facility that owns a license or a student that takes classes at an Avid accredited university, then you can take advantage of the 90-day Temporary license program by going to the link https://www.avid.com/covid-19 However, if you just bought a subscription license for your own use then this would not apply.
Q: I just bought a monthly subscription to work remotely last night. Any chance I could be reimbursed?
A: No, we do not allow cancellations of subscriptions. If you qualify for the FOC Temporary licensing program, then we suggest that you let the license for the month lapse and request a temporary license and continue to use that once your subscription expires. Be aware, however, that you only have until April 17, 2020 to request, redeem and start your FOC Temporary Licensing subscription.
Q: My company has yearly subscriptions, but we’ve shut down and have asked employees to work from home. Is there any possibility that I could be reimbursed for the subscription I’m paying for but can’t use?
A: No. Avid is not set up to provide this kind of reimbursement. However, if you are not working and the license is month-to-month subscription, you can let it lapse and re-subscribe when the COVID-19 situation improves.
Q: I am a freelancer / individual user and am being affected by COVID-19. Most of my freelance work I edit in-house at different companies and a lot of projects have been cancelled due to companies working from home. I've heard you are giving businesses additional licenses to enable their staff to work from home. Could you please supply me with a free license also as a freelancer?
A: No. Licenses can only be provided to users whose company or educational institution owns the same product being requested, and the product is either an active subscription or under an active upgrade and support contract. We suggest you look into purchasing a subscription month-to-month at shop.avid.com to assist you with freelance work during this time.
Q: Can I get more than one license?
A: A maximum of one license will be provided per one owned and active license.
Q: As an educational institution, we have a pool of licenses that our students share in lab or classroom settings, therefore we own fewer licenses than we have students. How can we enable them to continue to use your products now that schools are closed?
A: If you are an educational institution that has fewer licenses under an active subscription or support contract than you have students that need access to those licenses, then make certain you state that in your request for temporary licenses. Avid will do our best to accommodate all of your students’ learning needs.
Q: A school has made a request for more temporary licenses than they currently own. What should we do?
A: If the schools is in good standing – active subscriptions or support contracts on their licenses – then you can provide them with enough temporary licenses to accommodate all of their students, regardless of how many licenses they actually rent or own.
Q: I currently use a First product. Can I get access to the 90-day Temporary FOC Licensing program?
A: No. Only those with an eligible Creative Tools subscription or on a support & upgrade plan can take advantage. The First products are free and therefore do not qualify.
Media Composer | Ultimate Questions
Q: Will this measure be able to accommodate people whose workplaces are still using older versions of software? I am currently working from home however my work facility is on Avid Media Composer v8.9.4 and any system I set up at home would have to use that version.
A: At this time, Avid will issue temporary Media Composer | Ultimate subscription licenses which will run 2018.9 or higher only.
Q: Does the temporary license work on macOS Catalina?
A: Pro Tools, Pro Tools | Ultimate and Sibelius | Ultimate are currently supported on macOS Catalina. Media Composer | Ultimate is currently in public beta in support of macOS Catalina. Users are encouraged to log in to their MyAvid Master Account at https://my.avid.com/account and access the Download Center. The public beta v2020.2 for macOS Catalina is located on the Download Center within the Public Beta Folder in the product list. We also encourage users to provide feedback on Media Composer| Ultimate public beta v2020.2 on Avid Community Forums at https://community.avid.com/forums/395.aspx
Q: I have a license of Media Composer that I'd like to access remotely. Is there a way to do that?
A: Customers that have the ability to connect to their facility remotely to access their existing Media Composer may require a Media Composer | Cloud VM Option license to do so. Avid is providing free-of-charge 90-day temporary licenses of the Cloud VM Option to add to existing Media Composer Perpetual or Media Composer | Ultimate licenses. Node-locked (single-seat) and Floating licenses are both available. To request a license, follow the same procedure as outlined on our COVID-19 response page: https://www.avid.com/covid-19. The Cloud VM Option license does not include a Media Composer or Media Composer | Ultimate license; you must already have an active license to take advantage of this option. Once approved, you will receive Activation Codes that you can use to activate your Option license directly; you will not need to redeem anything into your My Avid Account.
Q: I still have not upgraded to Media Composer 2019.x with the new UI. If I am in a situation where I need to work at home, what version can I go back too?
A: Avid will be offering Media Composer | Ultimate which supports v2018.9 or higher. For information on the backward compatibility, go to http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/compatibility/Media-Composer-2019-x-Licensing-Backwards-Compatiblity-Matrix
Q: Will I be able to use my Media Composer add-on applications with the temporary license such as NewBlue Titler, Sorenson and iZotope?
A: Yes, any product that you’ve purchased as an option or plug-in for Media Composer will continue to run with the temporary 90-day license.
Q: After this COVID-19 crisis is over and I return to work will my bins, projects and media still work with my facility’s license?
A: In general, your bins, projects and media will be compatible with the version of software your facility is running, subject to any additional version-specific caveats. For example, if you use 2019.12 at home but your facility is using 8.9, some project, user or site settings from 2019.12 may not transfer properly to the 8.9 system. This is as expected as there are newer features/settings in the 2019.12 vs 8.9.
Q: What if my facility uses dongles and not software activation? Will bins, projects and media continue to work with my facility’s perpetual license?
A: The fact that your facility uses a dongle and not a software activation has no bearing on bin/media compatibility. The only thing that matters are the specific versions of software being used. Refer to the prior question for more information.
Q: Do you know if this will extend to Sapphire and Boris licenses? I have a home Avid system but some of the effects my show regularly uses require additional plugins.
A: Users would need to contact the 3rd party companies directly to inquire about their policies.
Q: If a facility requires a VM Option to use with Media Composer | Ultimate, who do they reach out too?
A: Facilities that require a Cloud VM Option to enable their existing Media Composer | Ultimate licenses to run remotely can use the same process to make a request. Alternatively, they can reach out to their Sales Representative.
Pro Tools Questions
Q: What Pro Tools plug-ins will be provided with the 90-day temp subscription license?
A: Since the temporary license for both Pro Tools and Pro Tools | Ultimate is the same as a month-to-month or yearly subscription, users and students can see here what they will get for the 90-day temporary period. https://www.avid.com/pro-tools/plugins
Q: I currently use a Pro Tools HDX system at work. Will Avid provide this hardware along with the temporary Pro Tools license?
A: No. Users are encouraged to work with their facilities and determine what hardware may be required to work remotely from home.
Q: Will the Pro Tools temporary license require an iLok?
A: No, an iLok USB Key is not required, but a free iLok User ID is needed for the license. Users or students who do not have an iLok account already can sign up at www.ilok.com and download the iLok License Manager to manage their license. For more information on iLok Cloud go to http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/faq/iLok-Cloud-FAQ
Q: We have dozens of students that need access to Pro Tools. I have read your offer for students, and we don't qualify because we are running version 11.0 and are not under any upgrade or subscription plan. We only need the software for a month or so. What should we do?
A: Since the 90-day temporary licenses require a current Subscription or Software Updates + Support Plan, the best option for you would be to download the Pro Tools Ultimate Trial for your students to access the software. You could also upgrade | reinstate depending on your product owned and go to Pro Tools v2019.12 and then take advantage of the 90-day FOC Licensing program.
Sibelius | Ultimate Questions
Q: Will the Sibelius | Ultimate have the sound library and added software included?
A: Yes. The Sibelius | Ultimate 90-day subscription is the same as the month to month or yearly subscription. It will include the sound library and additional software such as PhotoScore & NotateMe Lite and AudioScore Lite.
Q: My university runs Sibelius 7.5. We have been asked to take classes from home so how can we get setup to do so?
A: Sibelius v7.5 does not qualify for the FOC Temporary Licensing program since it is not the current version of Sibelius. You should opt to use the Sibelius | Ultimate v2020.1 trial for 30-days or crossgrade these licenses to Sibelius | Ultimate v2020.1 then take advantage of the FOC Temporary Licensing program.
Q. My school has a 10-seat license of Sibelius, but we have 50 students who will need a license to continue their studies from home. Can we get 50 FOC licenses?
A. Yes, to allow all your students to be covered, you can apply for more licenses than are in your current MyAvid Master Account. The school will need to apply for the licenses, under one MyAvid and hand them out to the students.
Q: I am a freelancer / individual user and am being affected by COVID-19 but have an old version of Sibelius 7.5. I've heard you are giving businesses additional licenses to enable their staff to work from home. Could you please supply me with a free license also as a freelancer?
A: No. Licenses can only be provided to users whose company or educational institution owns the same product being requested, and the product is either an active subscription or under an active upgrade and support contract. We suggest you look into purchasing a discounted Crossgrade subscription to Sibelius Ultimate ($79/y) to assist you with freelance work during this time.