{"id":98625,"date":"2026-02-16T10:56:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T09:56:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/?p=98625"},"modified":"2026-07-30T15:45:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T15:45:25","slug":"solidworks-piracy-free-license","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/solidworks-piratage-licence-gratuite\/","title":{"rendered":"SOLIDWORKS Piracy: Legal Risks and Free Alternatives (2026)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.3ds.com\/fr\/piracy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hacking<\/a> SOLIDWORKS : Pourquoi jouer avec le feu, quand l&rsquo;usage du meilleur logiciel de cao du march\u00e9 est (presque) gratuite ?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the world of <b data-index-in-node=\"21\" data-path-to-node=\"3\">Computer-Aided Design (CAD)<\/b>, an old belief persists: cutting-edge software such as <a href=\"\/en\/solidworks\/\"><b data-index-in-node=\"125\" data-path-to-node=\"3\">SOLIDWORKS<\/b><\/a> You <b data-index-in-node=\"139\" data-path-to-node=\"3\">Catia<\/b> would be reserved for multinational corporations with unlimited budgets. The result? Many engineers, designers, and entrepreneurs, believing they cannot afford the necessary equipment, turn to \u201ccracked\u201d versions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet the landscape has changed dramatically. Today, using pirated software for a professional project is no longer just risky, it has become a financially risky move and a particularly costly one, given the highly accessible legal solutions available to new businesses.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The \u201ccrack\u201d trap for <a href=\"\/en\/startup\/\">professionals<\/a> and <a href=\"\/en\/independent\/\">self-employed<\/a><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many users started out with a student version or a dubious download link while they were in school. The problem arises when they enter the workforce. Using an unlicensed copy to develop a product intended for sale is a <b data-index-in-node=\"285\" data-path-to-node=\"7\">direct violation of the license agreement (EULA)<\/b> from Dassault Syst\u00e8mes.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How <a href=\"\/en\/partners\/\">Dassault Syst\u00e8mes<\/a> spots you?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Make no mistake: the files <code data-index-in-node=\"37\" data-path-to-node=\"9\">.sldprt<\/code> You <code data-index-in-node=\"48\" data-path-to-node=\"9\">.sldasm<\/code> Files generated by pirated versions contain invisible digital markers. As soon as your computer connects to the Internet, the software \u201ccalls home.\u201d Dassault Syst\u00e8mes then receives your IP address, your MAC address, and proof of illegal use.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Risks: From Record Fines to Lifetime Bans<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you think you can slip through the cracks, be aware that the reality check is often harsh. Dassault Syst\u00e8mes works with specialized law firms, such as the well-known <a href=\"https:\/\/nationalconsumerservice.co.uk\/forum\/190-internet-piracy-claims-and-other-bounty-hunting-activities\/page\/4\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b data-index-in-node=\"177\" data-path-to-node=\"12\">CJCH Solicitors<\/b>,<\/a> to track down violations.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"13,0,0\">Fines of several thousand euros<\/b> : Complaints often stem from being required to purchase a \u201cfull-featured\u201d license (often costing between <span class=\"math-inline\" data-index-in-node=\"149\" data-math=\"5,000\">$5,000$<\/span> and <span class=\"math-inline\" data-index-in-node=\"159\" data-math=\"10,000\">$10,000$<\/span> (\u20ac) plus damages.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,1,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"13,1,0\">Legal Proceedings<\/b> : If a request for regularization is denied, the cases are referred to the courts on charges of counterfeiting.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"13,2,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"13,2,0\">Blacklisting<\/b> : You risk being permanently banned by the world's most renowned software provider. For an engineer, that's a true technical \u201cprofessional death.\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many panicked entrepreneurs are now desperately seeking help on forums such as the <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjEzdXFldSSAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQgAE\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/nationalconsumerservice.co.uk\/forum\/190-internet-piracy-claims-and-other-bounty-hunting-act%E2%80%A6\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">National Consumer Service<\/a> to try to defend themselves against CJCH's formal notice letters. A stressful situation that can be avoided with just one click.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/hub.ohmycad.com\/fr\/solidworks-prix\">Our SOLIDWORKS Offerings<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The solution: The <a href=\"\/en\/role\/data\/\">3DEXPERIENCE program<\/a> for <a href=\"\/en\/startup\/\">Startups<\/a><\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where the problem lies: <b data-index-in-node=\"30\" data-path-to-node=\"17\">Piracy is pointless<\/b>. Dassault Syst\u00e8mes fully understands that today\u2019s innovators are tomorrow\u2019s major clients. That is why the program <a href=\"\/en\/shop\/\"><b data-index-in-node=\"185\" data-path-to-node=\"17\">SOLIDWORKS for Startups<\/b><\/a> offers incredible opportunities for startups.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The benefits of the legal program:<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Year<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>License Discount<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Estimated cost<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,1,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"19,1,0,0\">Year 1<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,1,1,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"19,1,1,0\">100% (Free)<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,1,2,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"19,1,2,0\">0 \u20ac<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,2,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"19,2,0,0\">Year 2<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,2,1,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"19,2,1,0\">70% reduction<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,2,2,0\">A minimal investment<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,3,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"19,3,0,0\">Year 3<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,3,1,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"19,3,1,0\">50% discount<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"19,3,2,0\">Smooth Transition<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Pirated Version (Crack)<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Startup Program (Legal)<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,1,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,1,0,0\">Initial Cost<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,1,1,0\">\u20ac0 (As shown)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,1,2,0\">\u20ac0 (Year 1)<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,2,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,2,0,0\">Legal Status<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,2,1,0\">Illegal \/ Counterfeit<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,2,2,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,2,2,0\">100% Certified<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,3,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,3,0,0\">Financial Risk<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,3,1,0\">Fines ranging from \u20ac5,000 to \u20ac15,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,3,2,0\">None (Secure Investment)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,4,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,4,0,0\">Legal Proceedings<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,4,1,0\">CJCH Solicitors Profile<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,4,2,0\">Comprehensive legal Protection<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,5,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,5,0,0\">Technical Support<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,5,1,0\">Nothing (Figure it out for yourself)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,5,2,0\">Full access to experts<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,6,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,6,0,0\">Updates<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,6,1,0\">Blocked (Risk of bugs)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,6,2,0\">Automatic (Latest Features)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,7,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,7,0,0\">Reputation<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,7,1,0\">Risk of a lifetime ban<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,7,2,0\">Dassault Syst\u00e8mes Partner<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,8,0,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"3,8,0,0\">Cloud Access<\/b><\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,8,1,0\">Impossible<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span data-path-to-node=\"3,8,2,0\">Included (3DEXPERIENCE)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/figure>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who is eligible?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To take advantage of <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjEzdXFldSSAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQhAE\" href=\"https:\/\/www.solidworks.com\/fr\/solution\/solidworks-for-startups-program\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">SOLIDWORKS or Catia for free<\/a>, your company simply needs to:<\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"22,0,0\">Design and manufacture a physical product.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"22,1,0\">Have been in existence for less than 5 years.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p data-path-to-node=\"22,2,0\">Achieve less than <span class=\"math-inline\" data-index-in-node=\"18\" data-math=\"1\">$1$<\/span> million dollars in annual revenue.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p data-path-to-node=\"23,0\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"23,0\">Internal note:<\/b> If you're not ready for the startup program yet, check out our guide on <a class=\"ng-star-inserted\" data-hveid=\"0\" data-ved=\"0CAAQ_4QMahgKEwjEzdXFldSSAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQhQE\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=https:\/\/example.com\/choisir-station-travail-cao\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">How to choose a CAD workstation<\/a> to optimize your launch costs.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/startup\/\">Learn more about the SOLIDWORKS program for startups<\/a><\/div>\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: Develop with peace of mind; develop legally<\/h4>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s never been easier to access the most powerful design tools on the market without risking bankruptcy for your business before it even launches. Whether you\u2019re a freelancer or a fast-growing small business, there are low-cost (or even free) legal options available to protect you from lawsuits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don't let a \u201ccrack\u201d ruin your reputation and your wallet. Go through official channels and focus on what really matters: innovation.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b data-index-in-node=\"0\" data-path-to-node=\"29\">Are you starting a project and unsure which license to choose?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Would you like me to help you check your <a href=\"\/en\/shop\/\">Eligibility for the Startup Program<\/a> Or should I list the differences between the Standard and Professional versions for you?<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/testimony\/\">Learn about the experiences of subscribers, some of whom are former SolidWorks pirates!<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<section class=\"omc-faq\" aria-labelledby=\"omc-faq-article\"><p class=\"omc-faq__eyebrow\">FAQ<\/p><h2 class=\"omc-faq__title\" id=\"omc-faq-article\">Frequently asked Questions<\/h2><details class=\"omc-faq__item\"><summary>How does Dassault Syst\u00e8mes detect pirated SOLIDWORKS software?<\/summary><p>Le logiciel remonte des informations d&#039;usage. Dassault Syst\u00e8mes identifie les licences non valides et les usages professionnels sur versions crack\u00e9es, particuli\u00e8rement en contexte d&#039;entreprise.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"omc-faq__item\"><summary>Quels sont les risques d&#039;un SOLIDWORKS crack\u00e9 en entreprise ?<\/summary><p>Amendes pouvant \u00eatre tr\u00e8s \u00e9lev\u00e9es, poursuites pour contrefa\u00e7on et bannissement de l&#039;\u00e9cosyst\u00e8me Dassault Syst\u00e8mes. Le risque financier d\u00e9passe largement le co\u00fbt d&#039;une licence l\u00e9gale.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"omc-faq__item\"><summary>What is a legal and affordable alternative to piracy?<\/summary><p>Le programme 3DEXPERIENCE for Startups rend SOLIDWORKS accessible \u00e0 faible co\u00fbt pour les jeunes entreprises \u00e9ligibles. Ohmycad, revendeur officiel, accompagne la v\u00e9rification d&#039;\u00e9ligibilit\u00e9 et la mise en route.<\/p><\/details><\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Piratage SOLIDWORKS : Pourquoi jouer avec le feu, quand l&rsquo;usage du meilleur logiciel de cao du march\u00e9 est (presque) gratuite ? Dans l\u2019univers de la Conception Assist\u00e9e par Ordinateur (CAO), une vieille croyance persiste : les logiciels de pointe comme SOLIDWORKS ou Catia seraient r\u00e9serv\u00e9s aux multinationales aux budgets illimit\u00e9s. R\u00e9sultat ? De nombreux ing\u00e9nieurs, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":117511,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_breakdance_hide_in_design_set":false,"_breakdance_tags":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[391],"tags":[405,406,407],"class_list":["post-98625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-archives-xdi","tag-licences-gratuites","tag-piratage-solidworks","tag-solidworks-legal"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98625"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":117995,"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98625\/revisions\/117995"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/117511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ohmycad.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}