A quick search online for “cheap Maya software” turns up a whole slew of websites that claim to be selling “OEM” versions of the Maya 3D software…and at bargain basement prices too…some as low as $150.

The sites look really professional and give an air of legitimacy…but are they really legit? What the heck is OEM software, and can you really buy OEM versions of Maya so cheaply?

Here’s my take on the issue…

What Is OEM Software?

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and refers to the copies of software that are sold to computer builders and manufacturers in order to be bundled with hardware and other softwares. A good example of this would be something like Norton Antivirus that is often bundled with a new computer or laptop.

Manufacturers do this for a number of reasons, since by essentially bundling their software at a cheap price they vastly increase the number of customers they have using their product…with a view of keeping them on as long term customers for many years.

So going back to the Norton example…if you buy a laptop that comes bundled with Norton and you activate it…then once your subscription runs out after a year, you will most likely renew it.

Does Autodesk do OEM versions of Maya?

Now, the real question is whether Autodesk do OEM versions of their Maya 3D software.

The answer to this is no.

Autodesk software is rather exclusive and so it doesn’t make sense for them to bundle such a high-end piece of software with another manufacturer.

Also, it should be noted that Autodesk are very particular about who they allow to sell their software, and all legitimate retailers are verified partners, and need to follow reasonably strict guidelines about how they sell the product, where they can sell it (geographically) and the level of support they offer. (Read about Autodesk’s Partner Program here)

A discussion on this recently appeared on the Autodesk forum, and the site they mention in the thread there looks very professional. Don’t be fooled by it though…it is most likely not selling original copies.

So What Can You Do?

Well, if you’re a student, there’s no need to bother with dodgy OEM copies anyway. You can access fully working versions of all the Autodesk software in the student area, or purchase your own perpetual licence edition for a very low price.

From here you can always upgrade to the full commercial edition of Maya for a BIG discount…you pay only about $1,300 instead of nearly $4,000.

So you see, in reality, you wouldn’t be paying a great deal more for the full legitimate licensed copy with all the relevant support and updates that go with it, than you would for a dodgy ripped off OEM version.

Plus, you’ll be able to sleep well at night…which as most of us know…is priceless

Now, while this site is dedicated to helping folks looking to buy the Maya student edition, there are a number of visitors who are not currently students but are interested in buying the full commercial version of Maya 2011 either for home or professional use.

Since it is a high-end piece of software, I’ve found that it can be difficult finding a place online that provides a straight forward pricing structure and easy purchase…many sites require you to phone them for a quote, which can not only cause you to waste a lot time, but can be an unnecessary expense, if let’s say you’re based in the UK and you have to phone a US-based company just to get a quote, or vice versa.

So, after some looking I’ve found that the following site is one of the best and simplest places to buy Maya 2011:

>> Buy Maya 2011 from this online store <<

The good thing is they tell you the price up front and the purchase is as simple and straight forward as any other online purchase. Their pricing is also competitive compared to some other online retailers.

I’ve Seen Cheap OEM Software Available…Is This The Same?

OEM software (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is a kind of software that is sold to computer builders and hardware manufacturers in large quantities, for the purpose of bundling with computer hardware.

Most OEM software is for older versions of the software or will contain restrictions on the license agreement. The re-selling of certain OEM software is not illegal, but is a complex and contentious issue, which is aggravated by the unscrupulous actions of a number of online sellers who are not licensed to sell such software.

The Maya 3D software can only be sold by authorised Autodesk resellers, and in the vast majority of cases the sites that are selling OEM Maya software are not. Therefore, I would NOT recommend buying Maya 2011 from any of those OEM sites, no matter how tempting the low price…it will most likely not be a genuine version of the software.

To read more on OEM software in general there is a good article on About.com here

For a genuine full commercial version of Maya Unlimited 2011 go this site here:

>> Buy Maya 2011 from this online store <<

Note: If you're a student you may qualify for a discount when you upgrade to a full commercial license later on...for more info read this article ==> Maya Commercial Upgrade