In the world of DIY electronics and rapid PCB prototyping, few tools have achieved the legendary status of CopperCam. Developed by Galaad SARL, this software has been the go-to solution for converting Gerber files (the standard language of PCB design) into G-code (the language of CNC machines) for over two decades.
However, for new users, navigating the "CopperCam Licence" system can be confusing. Is it free? What is the difference between a trial and a full licence? Does it expire? This article breaks down everything you need to know about the CopperCam licensing model, how to purchase it, and whether it is still worth the investment in 2025.
False for standard licences. You need two separate licences or a professional network licence.
Before diving into costs, it is crucial to understand what the software does. CopperCam acts as a translator. You design a circuit board in software like Eagle, KiCad, or Altium. You export that design as Gerber RS-274X files. CopperCam takes those files and creates isolation routing paths, drilling coordinates, and milling outlines.
Without a valid Coppercam licence, the software operates in a severely restricted "demo mode." This limitation makes the software useless for actual manufacturing. Specifically, without a licence:
One of the most common questions is: “I bought a new computer. Can I transfer my CopperCAM licence?” coppercam licence
The answer is yes, but with restrictions.
Note: Statis Pro does not currently offer a "lifetime licence." The licence is perpetual for the version you buy, but update access expires after a certain period.
Copyright (c) 2026 [Copyright Holder]
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the “Software”), to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, subject to the following conditions:
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES, OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE. The Complete Guide to the CopperCam Licence: Pricing,
Users are solely responsible for the safe operation of any CNC or laser equipment controlled by the Software. The Copyright Holder disclaims all liability for property damage, personal injury, or death resulting from use of the Software.
Contributors grant a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free patent license to make, use, sell, offer for sale, import, and otherwise transfer the contributor’s work.
Export control: You are responsible for complying with local export regulations.
Optional Commercial Addendum:
Unlike open-source alternatives (e.g., FlatCAM or LinuxCNC), CopperCAM is proprietary shareware developed by a French company, Statis Pro. When you download CopperCAM from the official website, you receive a fully functional 30-day trial. G-code output is scrambled or incomplete
After the trial expires, the software enters an unlicensed (demo) mode. This mode severely restricts your workflow:
A valid CopperCAM licence removes these limitations, enabling professional-grade PCB manufacturing without errors or watermarks.
Registration is typically handled directly through the developer's website or via
However, the license is proprietary, not open source, and its full text is distributed only with the software (e.g., in the installer or as a license.txt file). It is not typically published in full on public websites.
Below is a summary and the core restrictions from the official CopperCAM license, based on the author’s (Galaad / Gilles) documentation.