Altair software license agreements are the standard terms Altair Engineering, Inc. publishes for its software. Three are on altair.com: the Simulation Software License Agreement, the Data Analytics Software License Agreement, and the Enterprise Computing Software License Agreement and Maintenance Agreement.[1][2][3] The simulation agreement sets the standard terms for software accessed via physical media, a license file, an Altair or third-party website, or hosted compute resources. It applies when the user clicks to accept or installs or uses the software. A current negotiated licence agreement on file with Altair (a “Master Agreement”) takes precedence over it.[1] Altair has been acquired by Siemens, and its HyperWorks, HPCWorks and RapidMiner portfolios have moved into Siemens product lines.[5] The agreements below remain the published Altair texts.
Editions
| Agreement | Revision shown | Covers | Governing law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simulation SLA | April 2020[1] | Altair, ISV and supplier software run under the License Management System[1] | Michigan[1] |
| Data Analytics SLA | September 2022[2] | Software on an Altair Order Agreement or Quote; named user, network, subscription and Units-enabled licences[2] | Delaware[2] |
| Enterprise Computing SLA | July 2021[3] | Software quantity on the quotation, with maintenance under Exhibit A[3] | Delaware[3] |
None of the three gives a day for its revision, so the catalog records their effective dates as unknown.
Metrics
The simulation agreement does not name products or quantities. It licenses execution “in accordance with the LMS”. The License Unit is “a parameter used by the LMS to determine usage of the Products permitted under this Agreement at any one time”.[1] Software is licensed by Global Zone: the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific.[1] The unit draw itself is in the documentation, described in Altair Units and unit draw.
The data analytics agreement defines four licence types. A Single Named User licence is for one individual on one physical or virtual computer. A Network License is installed on a server, and each Computer that accesses it needs its own licence. A subscription licence is time-limited to the quoted term. A Units-enabled subscription licenses a pool of Altair Units, and invoked software draws a predetermined number of units from the pool.[2] Catalog: Units-enabled subscriptions draw a predetermined number of units.
Counting / floors
Who may use the software. The simulation agreement allows execution on Licensed Computers only by Permitted Users, for internal business use. Permitted Users are employees and onsite contractors who support the licensee’s business, are bound by confidentiality and comply with the agreement.[1] The enterprise computing agreement says “employees and contractors”, without “onsite”.[3] The data analytics agreement allows Authorized Users, which include third-party consultants who use the software on the licensee’s behalf under confidentiality.[2] In every case the licensee is liable for its users. Catalog: Permitted Users are employees and onsite contractors.
Multiplexing and automation (data analytics). Multiplexing or pooling software or hardware does not reduce the number of licences required. The licensee must buy client licences equal to the distinct user inputs to the front end.[2] The same agreement prohibits using the Software “as part of any automated process developed using scripting, APIs or other programmatic methods”.[2] Catalog: Data Analytics SLA: multiplexing does not reduce licences.
Terms. Unless an order says otherwise, annual licences run for 12 months and perpetual licences for 25 years. Maintenance agreements for perpetual licences run for 12 months.[1] The enterprise computing agreement uses the same terms. It adds that annual licences and perpetual maintenance renew automatically unless either party gives written notice.[3] Under the simulation agreement, renewals need a new order, and licences can be made coterminous at the licensee’s request with Altair’s consent.[1] A “perpetual” Altair licence is therefore a 25-year term. Entitlement records should carry that end date. Catalog: Annual licenses run 12 months; perpetual licenses 25 years.
Virtualization & partitioning
The simulation agreement ties use to a License (Network) Server identified by HostID and to Licensed Computers in a licensed Global Zone. Licensed Computers connect over the licensee’s local or private wide-area network.[1] Where Licensed Computers in several zones connect to one server, a premium is applied to standard single-zone pricing. Installing the license file and LMS on a server outside the zones or User Sites on an order is prohibited.[1] The data analytics Network License requires that the server’s CPU count not exceed the CPUs licensed for that server. A licence may not be shared or used concurrently on different servers.[2] Catalog: Premium for Licensed Computers in several Global Zones on one server.
Cloud / BYOL
The simulation agreement’s License (Network) Server can be a server the licensee owns or leases, or one it reaches “through hosted or cloud-based computing resources”.[1] The enterprise computing agreement licenses use on licensee-controlled systems, “including Licensee controlled cloud computing environments”. It forbids use for the benefit of third parties, including as a software service provider or in an outsourcing environment.[3] The simulation agreement likewise bars third-party access through a service bureau, wide area network, Internet location or time-sharing arrangement.[1] Catalog: Enterprise Computing SLA: use on licensee-controlled systems, including cloud; No service bureau, time-sharing or third-party access.
Programs
- Annual and perpetual licenses. See Counting above. If support has not been bought for any period on paid-up licences, a reinstatement fee may apply. Altair supports only the current release and the one before it.[1] Under the data analytics agreement, maintenance that has lapsed for more than six months cannot be reinstated.[2] Catalog: Support covers the current and the immediately prior release; Data Analytics SLA: maintenance lapsed over six months cannot be reinstated.
- Student Edition. Students and faculty with an institutional email address get free Student Editions of Rapidminer AI Studio, Simcenter Hypermesh, Simcenter PSIM, Simcenter Inspire and Simcenter Feko through Altair One.[4] A key can be renewed for another year only after it expires. Moving it to another computer is limited to very few deactivations per user.[4] Catalog: Student Edition keys renew only after expiry; reactivations are limited.
Restrictions and intellectual property
The simulation agreement prohibits copying beyond backups, reverse engineering or “unlocking”, and sublicensing, selling, lending, renting or distributing the Products. It also prohibits removing proprietary notices, disabling or circumventing the LMS, and linking third-party software to the Products other than the licensee’s own internal software through Altair’s APIs.[1] Templates may be modified freely, and interfaces to the licensee’s own software may be built with the supplied APIs.[1] The agreement is a licence, not a sale. Altair’s suppliers and ISVs are third-party beneficiaries who can enforce it directly.[1]
Indemnity. Altair defends third-party claims that the Software infringes a patent or copyright. If it cannot modify the software, it may terminate and refund annual fees pro rata, with perpetual licences pro-rated over 36 months. No indemnity is given for supplier or ISV software.[1] Trade secret claims are not named. Liability is capped at the fees paid in the 12 months before the claim.[1] Catalog: IP indemnity covers patent and copyright claims, not ISV software.
Termination
Under the simulation agreement either party may terminate on 30 days’ notice for an uncured material breach. On termination the licensee stops using the software and returns it or certifies its destruction.[1] The enterprise computing agreement also lets Altair terminate for convenience on 30 days’ written notice. Altair may terminate on notice if the licensee breaches the grant or restrictions or fails to pay. After termination or expiry the licensee must certify destruction or return within 30 days.[3] Under the data analytics agreement the licensee may terminate at any time by destroying the software, but pre-paid fees are not refunded and the fees for the rest of the term remain due. Copies must be returned or destroyed within 15 days of termination or expiry.[2] Catalog: Enterprise Computing SLA: Altair may terminate for convenience on 30 days' notice.
Audits and compliance
The three agreements handle compliance differently. The simulation agreement has no audit clause. Instead, a copy of the License Log File must be made available to Altair automatically at least once a month.[1] The license management guide adds that, on signing a new licence agreement, customers agree to provide certain software usage data to Altair.[6] The data analytics agreement lets Altair or its agent inspect or audit use from time to time. If an audit shows underpayment of more than 5% for the audited period, or any breach, the licensee pays the underpayment and the audit cost and corrects the non-compliance.[2] The enterprise computing agreement has no audit clause, but its termination rights are broad.[3] Catalog: Usage data must be reported to Altair; Data Analytics SLA: audit with 5% underpayment threshold. See software license audit.
Out of scope
- Negotiated Master Agreements, local Additional Terms and public-sector contracts, none of which are published.
- Siemens agreements that may govern orders placed after the acquisition. See Siemens Digital Industries Software licensing.
- Third-party (ISV and Advanced Partner Alliance) licence and warranty terms. The simulation agreement says supplier and ISV warranty terms are on the Altair Support website.
- Earlier revisions of the three agreements, which Altair does not publish.