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 ;)