Changes between Version 19 and Version 20 of Licensing FAQ

Timestamp:

Jan 15, 2007 12:14:31 PM (17 years ago)

Author:

jose

Comment:

--

Licensing FAQ

@@ -28 +28 @@
  We are not currently planning to do so, but it doesn't really matter. Any code that was once released under the GPL cannot be "closed" again. The license that !InnoTek has granted you with the GPL is perpetual and cannot be taken back. Even if !InnoTek wanted to change the license again, this could only affect future versions, and anybody would still be permitted to redistribute the existing !VirtualBox code under the terms of the GPL.
 
- 6. '''What exactly is this ''personal use'' you talk about in the [wiki:"VirtualBox PUEL" Personal Use and Evaluation License]?'''
+ 6. '''What exactly do you mean by ''personal use'' and ''academic use' in the [wiki:"VirtualBox PUEL" Personal Use and Evaluation License]?'''
 
  Personal use is when you install the product on one or more PCs yourself and you make use of it (or even your friend, sister and grandmother). It doesn't matter whether you just use it for fun or run your multi-million dollar business with it. Also, if you install it on your work PC at some large company, this is still personal use. However, if you are an administrator and want to deploy it to the 500 desktops in your company, this would not qualify as ''personal use''. Well, you could ask each of your 500 employees to install !VirtualBox but don't you think we deserve some money in this case? We'd even assist you with any issue you might have.
 
- 7. '''What is your definition of ''academic use'' in the [wiki:"VirtualBox PUEL" Personal Use and Evaluation License]?'''
-
  Use at an academic institution such as schools, colleges and universities by both teachers and students is covered. So in addition to the personal use which is always permitted, academic institutions may also choose to roll out the software in an automated way to make it available to its students and personnel.
 
- 8. '''Which guidelines apply to the use of the name ''!VirtualBox''?'''
+ 7. '''Which guidelines apply to the use of the name ''!VirtualBox''?'''
 
  The term ''!VirtualBox'' has been registered by !InnoTek as a trademark. It may be freely used together with the products available from this web site. However, if you choose to ship custom binaries and/or source code revisions of the product, !InnoTek reserves the right to deny use of the trademark ''!VirtualBox''. This might seem rather strict but we believe that it is important to avoid any kind of confusion arising from multiple versions of the same product coming from different sources.
 
- 9. '''What about software patents?'''
+ 8. '''What about software patents?'''
 
  !InnoTek offers !VirtualBox free of charge to anyone who finds it useful. The only restrictions we impose are those of either the GPL or our respective commercial licenses -- whichever you choose. This also means that we will not restrict your use of the product by means of patents. However, should someone attempt to abuse the product, e.g. by violating the GPL or our commercial license, we will make use of our intellectual property rights to protect !VirtualBox. 
 
- 10. '''Can I redistribute the VirtualBox binaries?'''
+ 9. '''Can I redistribute the VirtualBox binaries?'''
 
  No. The [wiki:"VirtualBox PUEL" Personal Use and Evaluation License] allows you to download the !VirtualBox binaries for personal and academic use and for evaluation, but it does not give you the right to redistribute these binaries. So you may not put them onto your own websites or other mirrors. We do this because we would presently like to keep track of how many people are downloading these binaries. The fact that we also provide a !BitTorrent tracker does not change this policy.