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Premier Farnell acquired CadSoft, the company behind EAGLE electronic design software, in 2009. It later sold CadSoft to Autodesk in 2016; Autodesk ended EAGLE sales and support on June 7, 2026, and now points users to Fusion Electronics.
When did Farnell acquire CadSoft?
Premier Farnell announced on September 24, 2009, that it had acquired CadSoft Computer GmbH, developer of the EAGLE electronic design software brand. The announced price was €7 million paid at completion, with possible additional payments of up to €5 million under criteria in the sale agreement. That €5 million was a contingent maximum, not a confirmed amount paid. Premier Farnell’s 2009 acquisition announcement also reported that CadSoft had more than 40,000 electronic design engineer customers in the USA and Europe; that was the company’s figure at the time, not a current or independently verified user count.
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At the time, Premier Farnell described EAGLE as a way to expand the tools it offered customers during the design process. Its Global Head of eCommerce and Technical Marketing, David Shen, said the software “extends our portfolio and gives us more tools to help our customers in their design process.”
Why did Farnell buy the EAGLE developer?
The acquisition fit Farnell’s aim of serving more of the electronics design cycle, linking engineers’ design work with the distributor’s product information and supply capabilities. In its 2011 annual report, Farnell said it was developing EAGLE to incorporate a rapid-prototyping service through its distribution network. The strategy joined design tools to the route from a circuit-board concept toward a physical prototype. Farnell’s 2011 annual report
Who owns CadSoft and what happened to EAGLE?
Premier Farnell completed the sale of CadSoft Computer GmbH and assets used in connection with CadSoft product sales in the United States to Autodesk on June 27, 2016. The cited transaction material confirms the completion date but does not state the sale price. Transaction announcement
This was distinct from Avnet’s 2016 acquisition of Premier Farnell: that was a separate corporate transaction and did not mean Avnet acquired EAGLE directly from CadSoft. Premier Farnell heritage information
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is EAGLE still available or supported?
No. Autodesk says it stopped selling and supporting EAGLE effective June 7, 2026. Its support page states: “Autodesk will no longer sell nor support EAGLE effective June 7, 2026”. Autodesk identifies Fusion Electronics as the path forward for users who need an ongoing electronics-design workflow. Autodesk EAGLE support information
What existing license holders should know
Autodesk says perpetual-license versions of EAGLE continue to function on the machine where they are installed. Subscription versions are no longer available or supported. These statements do not mean every former user has the same license rights or that a perpetual license will work on a different machine.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesMoving EAGLE designs to Fusion Electronics
Autodesk says EAGLE design and library files are compatible with Fusion Electronics. That is Autodesk’s compatibility guidance; it is not a guarantee that every project will transfer without adjustment, and no independent migration test is established here. Check the current Autodesk instructions and your license situation before changing an active workflow.
Quick Recap
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Ownership timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| September 24, 2009 | Premier Farnell announced its acquisition of CadSoft for €7 million at completion, plus possible contingent payments not exceeding €5 million. Acquisition announcement |
| June 27, 2016 | Premier Farnell completed the sale of CadSoft and related U.S. sales assets to Autodesk; the cited transaction material does not state a price. Transaction announcement |
| June 7, 2026 | Autodesk ended EAGLE sales and support and directed users toward Fusion Electronics. Autodesk support information |
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