The Bentley End User License Agreement (EULA) is the licence delivered with Bentley Systems software. It covers desktop and server software, associated documentation and “Bentley internet-based services”. Acceptance happens by downloading, installing, copying or using the software. The current text is marked “EULA version 2023-10-16”.[1] Bentley may amend it at any time, but “the form of EULA in effect at the time of the Software acquisition will apply”.[1] For customers on a Bentley program, the SELECT, E365 or EPS-365 terms amend and supplement the EULA while the program lasts. When the program ends, the EULA shipped with each perpetual product governs again.[2]
The EULA is therefore the fallback position for every Bentley perpetual licence, and the only position for customers with no program.
Editions
The EULA has three articles. Article 1 applies to all software, Article 2 adds rules for Server Software, and Article 3 governs Test Software distributed for evaluation.[1] It distinguishes several classes of software by label:
| Label in the EULA | Rights | Catalog row |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial software | One copy per licence for Production Use in the country first obtained | Device (Production Use) |
| Academic Edition / Academic License | Academic Related Use only (classroom instruction and research); not transferable | Academic Software |
| Demo, evaluation, BDN, Beta, Technology Preview, NFR | Testing or evaluation only; may not be sold or transferred | Test Software |
| Upgrade | Only for licensees of an eligible prior product; one of the two versions in use at a time | None |
Metrics
Desktop software is licensed per Device. A Device is defined as “a single personal computer, workstation, terminal, hand held computer, pager, telephone, personal digital assistant, Server or other electronic device used by a User”.[1] Server Software has four modes: User CAL and Device CAL under Server/CAL, Per Processor, Per Server, plus the External Connector for external users.[1]
Counting / floors
One copy, one Site, one country. The grant is to “install and use one copy of the Software for Production Use in the country where the Software is first obtained”. Production Use is use by a single User or a Device for internal production purposes in support of one Site. The Site is the location where the software is first installed or used.[1] Bentley’s support pages state the practical result for customers without SELECT: a perpetual licence covers a single user on a single machine, and machine registration is required.[3] Catalog proof: One copy per licence for Production Use in the country first obtained; Perpetual licence without SELECT is limited to a single user on a single machine.
Multiplexing. Software or hardware that reduces the number of devices directly accessing the software does not reduce the licence count: “the number of licenses required would equal the number of distinct inputs to the multiplexing or pooling hardware/software front end”.[1] Catalog proof: Multiplexing or pooling front ends do not reduce licences required.
No automated use. A licence may not be shared or used concurrently on different Devices. It may not be used in an unattended server application that queues requests from several Users, or from one User against other Users’ content. The EULA names plot servers, file translators and print servers as examples.[1] Catalog proof: No automated or unattended server use such as plot or print servers.
Single product. Components of a product may not be separated and installed on multiple Devices.[1] Customers may build applications that integrate with the software but may not unlock capabilities Bentley has not identified as part of the licensed functionality, because Bentley prices “based on capabilities that we expose to you”.[1] Catalog proof: Components of a product may not be split across Devices.
Backup copies and floors. A reasonable number of backup copies is allowed if they are not installed or used for other than archival purposes.[1] No minimum purchase is stated.
Server Software
Article 2 governs Server Software, meaning “Software that provides services or functionality to your Server(s)”, and its Client Software.[1]
| Mode | Rule | Catalog proof |
|---|---|---|
| Server/CAL (default, User CALs) | One copy on a single Server; a separate CAL for each User or Device that accesses Server Software on any Server; the number of Users or Devices at a given interval may not exceed the CALs designated for that Server | Default Server Software mode is Server/CAL with User CALs |
| Per Processor | Use only on the licensed number of physical or virtual processors in the Server | Default Server Software mode is Server/CAL with User CALs |
| Per Server | All processors physically in one Server; unlimited Users or Devices unless capped; no CALs | Per Server mode needs no CALs unless user or device limits apply |
| External Connector | Any number of External Users may use one copy of the designated Server Software, unless the documentation or License Key sets a cap | External Connector covers any number of External Users of one server copy |
Source: EULA Article 2.[1] Unless the documentation says otherwise, the default mode for all Server Software is Server/CAL with User CALs.[1] CALs “cannot be pooled among internal Users or Devices and are tied to one Server Software installation”. A CAL may be transferred once to another User or Device at the same Site.[1] An External User is an individual who is not an employee, agency temporary or contractor on assignment at the customer’s place of business. Anyone who does not clearly qualify must be licensed another way.[1] Catalog proof: CALs cannot be pooled and are tied to one Server Software installation.
Under the program agreements, a Server Product may be deployed behind the subscriber’s firewall, licensed by an external organization, or provided by Bentley as a cloud service. Its CALs become subscriptions counted over three months; see Bentley SELECT Program licensing.[2]
Virtualization & partitioning
The EULA itself says little about virtualization. Per Processor mode counts “physical or virtual” processors within the designated Server.[1] Server Software, and External Connectors, may run temporarily on a passive fail-over server in a cluster.[1] The right to run desktop products in a Virtualized Environment comes from the program agreements, not the EULA, and each session needs its own licence.[2] Catalog proof: Passive fail-over server allowed on a temporary basis; Each session in a Virtualized Environment needs its own licence.
Cloud / BYOL
Commercial hosting is excluded. The software “is licensed for Production Use only”, and the licensee “may not rent, lease, lend or provide commercial hosting services” or use it for fee or transaction based services without alternate pricing from Bentley.[1] No bring-your-own-licence permission for public cloud is published. Catalog proof: No rental, commercial hosting or fee-based services.
Programs
- Term licences and Time Clocks. Bentley’s default term is perpetual. Software licensed for a shorter term may contain Time Clocks that deactivate it after expiry. The licensee accepts that these are not a defect.[1] Catalog proof: Default licence term is perpetual; term licences may carry Time Clocks.
- Academic Software. Licensed for Academic Related Use only, meaning classroom instruction and research of teaching staff and matriculated students. It excludes student use in a paid employment setting. Additional benefits exist only while an Academic SELECT agreement is in force.[1]
- Test Software. Licensed free for evaluation on a single computer or server until Bentley no longer needs the evaluator’s information. Evaluators must report on it, feedback becomes Bentley’s property, and results are confidential.[1]
- Bentley View. Internal or external redistribution of Bentley View requires contacting Bentley.[1] The eligibility list designates it a No-Charge product under SELECT.[5]
Transfer and termination
Software may be moved to a different Device at the same Site if it is completely removed from all prior Devices. Moving it to a third party needs Bentley’s prior written consent, full transfer of all copies and media, and the recipient’s acceptance of the EULA. Any other sublicence or assignment is void.[1] If the licensee breaches the EULA, Bentley may terminate it, and all copies must then be destroyed and removed.[1] Without an active subscription, the Lifecycle Policy limits a perpetual licence to the last covered version on a single machine with no pooling.[4] Catalog proof: Internal transfer only to a Device at the same Site; external transfer needs consent; Without an active subscription, perpetual licences get the last covered version and no pooling.
Audits and compliance
Records. The licensee must keep complete and accurate records of licences acquired and of its use of the software. The records must include “the location and identification of your hardware on which you use each copy” and identify the end users to whom licences are assigned.[1] Bentley may ask for a written report with supporting records within a reasonable period. It may then inspect and copy the records, itself or through a third-party auditor, on seven days’ written notice.[1] The EULA sets no frequency limit, no cost-shifting threshold and no back-billing formula. Those questions are left to the parties or the courts. Catalog proof: Records of licences, hardware and users; inspection on seven days notice (EULA).
Anti-piracy mechanism. The software may include a security mechanism that detects installation or use of illegal copies and collects and transmits data about them, excluding customer data created with the software. Using the software is consent to that detection and transmission, including to the United States.[1] Bentley relied on this kind of detection in its 2026 case against an Indian engineering company; see Bentley Systems v. Oiltech Engineering. Catalog proof: Software may detect and report illegal copies (anti-piracy).
Data capture. Bentley may also use technical information gathered through support services to improve its products.[1]
Contract entity and disputes
The contracting Bentley entity, governing law and forum depend on the licensee’s principal place of business. For the USA and Canada it is Bentley Systems, Incorporated, under Pennsylvania law, with exclusive jurisdiction in the federal courts in Philadelphia. There are separate entities and forums for the United Kingdom, Brazil, Mexico, China, Taiwan and India. Everywhere else it is Bentley Systems International Limited under Irish law, with the Dublin courts.[1] The EULA chooses courts, while the program agreements choose arbitration (commentary). A customer on SELECT and a customer on the bare EULA may therefore face different dispute routes for the same product.
Liability is capped at the amount paid for the software, and the warranty lasts 60 days from first installation.[1]
Out of scope
- Program-specific rights (pooling, virtualization, subscriptions), covered in Bentley SELECT Program licensing and Bentley Enterprise 365 licensing.
- Cloud Services Terms of Service for Bentley web services, and translated versions of the EULA.