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OffTopic > License Template

#114949 - rodif - Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:35 pm

Does anyone have a good license template that basically states 'Free for non commerical use' and 'no redistribution'

#114952 - tepples - Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:49 pm

It depends.

First off, how do you define "non-commercial use", and how do you define "redistribution"? Your reasoning behind these restrictions may help us draft such a custom license, as the most common templates permit at least non-commercial verbatim redistribution.
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Last edited by tepples on Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:50 pm; edited 1 time in total

#114953 - keldon - Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:49 pm

"This product is free for non commercial use, however redistribution is prohibited"

#114954 - keldon - Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:50 pm

Good point, actually is it available for commercial use at a cost? If not then I doubt that statement would be taken seriously!

#114961 - rodif - Thu Jan 11, 2007 10:23 pm

Sorry for being vague, i should know better.

Basically if you plan on selling a product that uses the output from the application (or derived output) or the application itself should be prohibited.

I said 'Redistribution' because even if you are using it for non-commerical uses I would still like to be the source of distribution. Meaning someone couldn't host the binaries with out first contacting me. (i know this isn't a huge issue but still)

I plan on making a commerical license available when I get everything in order. I would have to setup all of the appropriate tax stuff when it comes to creating a company.

#114972 - tepples - Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:45 pm

rodif wrote:
Basically if you plan on selling a product that uses the output from the application (or derived output) or the application itself should be prohibited.

Copyright law alone will not allow you to restrict the output of a program unless the program itself copies itself into the output. Only contract law can do this, and you'll need to set up a requirement of registration before download in order to securely bring in contract law.
_________________
-- Where is he?
-- Who?
-- You know, the human.
-- I think he moved to Tilwick.

#114976 - rodif - Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:17 am

Interesting, never thougth of the output of the program being under differnt law jurisdictions than the application itself.

Are there stock contracts that I could use? I plan on consluting a lawyer for the commerical license, but I'm probally months away from being at that point. I still need to purchase some licenses myself for some software I plan on embeding.

Do you have any suggestions on what approach I should take, basically I want to give the program away to people who dont make a prophit on it, and then charge the ones that do.

#114977 - keldon - Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:34 am

Those who intend to pay will pay; focus on getting to those people before worrying about the people who won't - there is little benefit in that.

What is the output? A program?

#114983 - sgeos - Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:58 am

Check out the MapEd license. It had similar requirements, although I'm not sure if the license was drawn up by a lawyer.

I think you want to create terms of use that state the program can not be used for commercial purposes. You can then create a commercial version with different terms of use, and optionally better features.]

Download a bunch of programs and read what you are agreeing to. The best plan is probably to read a bunch of other licenses, put one together on your own, and then have it reviewed by a lawyer. Laywers cost about $100 an hour. If you are serious about your license, this is money well spent. Don't forget to tell the lawyer your intent behind the contract.

-Brendan