legal question

  • Thread starter Thread starter ALPHA-M
  • Start date Start date
A

ALPHA-M

I have a question concerning freeware rights of use.

I am a big fan of freeware and I use it when ever i can substitute it for
commercial version.

I use all freeware in my office (except for Win2k) and I want to know is it
legal to use programs like OpenOffice, AVG antivirus, Zone alarm, Deep
burner, Adaware, IrfanView and all usefull free programs?

I have read on belove post that ZoneAlarm is not free for business purpose.
But why is then the use of term FREE if is not free for use. I dont sell
free programs or make money on it. I sugest all my business partners and
friends to use that kind of programs becouse they are free and very quality.

Often are side to side free and commercial programs using the same name but
commercial version has more features and it is good so you can choose.

Thanks.
 
ALPHA-M said:
I have a question concerning freeware rights of use.

I am a big fan of freeware and I use it when ever i can substitute it for
commercial version.

I use all freeware in my office (except for Win2k) and I want to know is it
legal to use programs like OpenOffice, AVG antivirus, Zone alarm, Deep
burner, Adaware, IrfanView and all usefull free programs?
Click to expand...

Good question. I think when they mean Corporate use, it'd have to be
network wide (on the corporates network or at least standard corporate
policy). If it doesn't specifically say so, you can always email the
authors (or owners) and ask them to clarify their position (which is
probably what you'd want to do). Is this a home-office or other? That may
play a significant role in the licensing (or may not).
I have read on belove post that ZoneAlarm is not free for business purpose.
But why is then the use of term FREE if is not free for use. I dont sell
free programs or make money on it. I sugest all my business partners and
friends to use that kind of programs becouse they are free and very
Click to expand...
quality.

See above (it may not be used in an corporate office, per se, but may be
allowed in a home office enviorment)
Often are side to side free and commercial programs using the same name but
commercial version has more features and it is good so you can choose.

Thanks.


---
Click to expand...


any other comments ?


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ALPHA-M said:
I have a question concerning freeware rights of use.

I am a big fan of freeware and I use it when ever i can substitute it for
commercial version.

I use all freeware in my office (except for Win2k) and I want to know is it
legal to use programs like OpenOffice, AVG antivirus, Zone alarm, Deep
burner, Adaware, IrfanView and all usefull free programs?

I have read on belove post that ZoneAlarm is not free for business purpose.
But why is then the use of term FREE if is not free for use. I dont sell
free programs or make money on it. I sugest all my business partners and
friends to use that kind of programs becouse they are free and very quality.

Often are side to side free and commercial programs using the same name but
commercial version has more features and it is good so you can choose.
Click to expand...

It has been my experience that most freeware have restrictions regarding
home, non-profit org. vs. business use. OpenOffice is not one of those
and is free to use in a business evironment, AFAIK. The primary reason
for this is that if you are using the software for business use, you are
using it in the pursuit of profit, if the developer gets no profit from
the software, they would not want it used for profit. It's a personal
choice that developers make, and we need to respect that. To find out if
any freeware you are using is limited to home or non-profit use only,
you'll need to check the EULA fot those products.

HK
 
I use all freeware in my office (except for Win2k) and I want to know is it
legal to use programs like OpenOffice, AVG antivirus, Zone alarm, Deep
burner, Adaware, IrfanView and all usefull free programs?
Click to expand...

< snip >

Why are you asking here ? Did you think it was alt.lawyers ? If you
want to know what a freeware licence allows then read it. If you have
trouble with that then contact the author of the program involved.

Regards, John.
 
Thanks guys.

Now it is more clearly to me this freeware policy.

Problem is that software piracy in our country is large and I do not want to
be apart of that so "I went to the freeware side ..."

I respect the eforts of programs authors and I admire to them.

M.
 
ALPHA-M scribebat:
Problem is that software piracy in our country is large and I do not
want to be apart of that so "I went to the freeware side ..."
Click to expand...

Problem is that "Freeware" is not a legal term, but an eye catcher, a
broad description - there is no difference between "Freeware, for
personal use only" and "Shareware, free for personal use", except for
the author's intention for the program. Not to forget the infamous "free
download", which might be as well a program that has to be paid for if
one wants to use it. Thus, as John already said, you have to read the
license carefully, what "free" in a specific case means.

For example OpenOffice.org is free for all uses, while ZoneAlarm, AVG
Antivirus and Irfan View are free for personal use only.
 
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