[Info-vax] The VSI Hobbyist program is Live!

[John H. Reinhardt]

On 7/29/2020 3:43 PM, David Goodwin wrote:
> On Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 1:33:08 AM UTC+12, Scott Dorsey wrote:
>> David Goodwin  wrote:
>>>
>>> Why is registration necessary? Given I can download and install linux (and even Windows!) without filling out any forms why does VSI insist on it?
>>
>> In the case of Linux, the license allows free distribution.
>>
>> In the case of Windows, they want you to register for a Microsoft account
>> before allowing you to do so.
>>
>> There are a lot of reasons why, and a few of them have to do with piracy but
>> the vast majority of them have to do with knowing who your potential customers
>> might be.
> 
> Are potential customers actually allowed to use the Community License? Its strictly non-commercial personal (section 2g) use only so the only potential customers using it would be pretty limited.
> 
> Section 2g also looks like it would prevent people setting things like the old deathrow cluster or other free public services (like the Living Computer Museum) from using a Community License.
> 

Section 2g:

"Extending the use of Software to any person or entity other than You as a function of providing services, (i.e.; making the Software available through a commercial timesharing or service bureau) must be authorized in writing by VSI prior to such use and may require additional licenses and fees. You may not publish distribute, resell, or sublicense the Software."

It's not specific about what "providing services" means other than an example citing a commercial timeshare or service bureau.  One could argue that providing an Eisner-like service is not commercial, therefore not covered.  If you did, you might be expected to ensure that users didn't do commercial work on your publicly available system.  This might be a problem.  Or at least a lot of policing on your part.

Or maybe it can be solved by just writing VSI and asking if you can do it.  The "authorized in writing by VSI" stuff.

-- 
John H. Reinhardt