[Info-vax] open source OpenVMS (Re: Oracle-RDB seminar notes)

[Bill Gunshannon]

In article <kjeltg$ji2$1 at dont-email.me>,
	David Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com> writes:
> Simon Clubley wrote:
>> On 2013-04-02, Paul Sture <nospam at sture.ch> wrote:
>>> You can only develop and demonstrate applications, not actually use them.
>>>
>> 
>> So Oracle did the same kind of thing to Rdb as they did with Solaris 10.
>> 
>> Sun made Solaris 10 free to use; but Oracle changed the license terms
>> to stop people using it for any production work. In the case of Solaris 10,
>> Oracle added language to the license to restrict it to a 90 day evaluation
>> period unless you also bought a service contract.
>> 
>> Some background reading I just found:
>> 
>> http://www.infoworld.com/d/open-source/license-change-leaves-sun-solaris-users-crossroads-858
>> 
>> Simon.
>> 
> 
> I would think Oracle is closing the barn door after the horses have left.
> 
> If you download a new copy from Oracle, maybe they can enforce the new 
> rules, but any copies Sun put out should not be covered, as they were 
> put into the public domain (I haven't read tha exact license) and I 
> don't think you can retract such.

You would be wrong.  It is a a license, not a grant.   It can be revoked
at any time.  Enforcement may be problematic but there are still people 
who play by the rules.  And, if they did decide to go after someone the
courts would undoubtedly be on their side.

It should probably also be noted that there is nothing in that license
about "Hobbyist" use.  The uses for which it is allowed are quite clear
and extremely limited.
 
> Of course, Larry has more lawyers than most people ....

All the more reason to abide by the rules if you want to avoid problems.
I am certain he knows what his legal standing is.

bill

-- 
Bill Gunshannon          |  de-moc-ra-cy (di mok' ra see) n.  Three wolves
billg999 at cs.scranton.edu |  and a sheep voting on what's for dinner.
University of Scranton   |
Scranton, Pennsylvania   |         #include <std.disclaimer.h>