A question about Backups and Software License

[Chris Boss]

This is a question for Tech Support:

Once installed, I don't see any documentation for the
Software License for PB DLL 6.0, so I can reread it.

My question is:

While I know I can only use one copy of PB at a time
(install it on only one PC), what I am wondering about is
how does the software License affect Backups ?

I regularly backup important software on CDR's. I simply
copy the entire PB DLL 6.0 Folder with all its subfolders
to a CDR, since I keep all my PB apps as subfolders of the
PB DLL folder. After awhile I have "many" CDRs as Backups,
which means multiple backups of the PB DLL compiler.

As long as I only use the one copy on my PC, are the multiple
Backups OK ?



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[Semen Matusovski]

Probably, I lost something, but idea of PB licence is very simple:
one user (developer) - one copy.


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E-MAIL: [email protected]

[Michael Mattias]

If you go by previous PB licenses (the ones available in printed manuals, before we went to the fine-print install wizard version), I believe it was PB who posited the "library book" theory.

You can have as many backup copies as you want as long as - just like a library book - there is no possibility that more than one copy can be in use at one time.

Of course, you'll have to get the official word from PB, Inc.; but I always rather liked the "library book" analogy.

MCM

[Lance Edmonds]

The license agreement is in Appendix A of the help file.

The relevent section follows. If you have more specific questions, you'll need to address them to mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

This software is protected by United States copyright law and international treaties. It is licensed for use on a single computer system. It may be moved from one computer to another as long as there is absolutely no possibility of it being used on two computer systems at the same time. If this software is used on a network, one licensed copy of the software is required for each network station using the software. <snip>

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Lance
PowerBASIC Support
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

[Michael Mattias]

Hey, I found it in the help file! (PB/DLL v 6.0)

I did not find it under "Appendix A", or even under the "Contents" tab; but I found it using "Search - License."

Maybe the doc writers can add an index entry under "contents" in the next release.

MCM

[Lance Edmonds]

Ooops! Please ignore my "Appendix A" comment, I got that from my own suggestion to the Documentation Dept... I gotta get some sleep...

Regardless, you'll definitely find the License Agreement in the file via the SEARCH or INDEX tabs.

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Lance
PowerBASIC Support
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>

[Chris Boss]

Lance;

If I read the software license correctly, multiple Backups are not a problem.
The key is not to have it "installed" on more than one computer
at the same time (which I don't).

Have I read it correctly ?



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[Eric Pearson]

Chris --

I have dealt with several software companies regarding their licenses -- most notably a long "discussion" with Microsoft -- and the typical response to questions like that is:

"The license agreement says what it says".

It is up to you to interpret it, and to decide whether or not you are complying with its terms. If Lance or anybody else from PB were to interpret it for you, either privately or (worse) publically, they would be effectively "appending" the actual agreement, which was almost certainly written by lawyers.

I know that's not a very good answer, but we live in a society that makes answers like that necessary.

-- Eric


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Perfect Sync: Perfect Sync Development Tools
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[Chris Boss]

Eric;

I understand what you mean.

I have seen a number of software licenses that explicitly say you
can make only one Backup of the software. Since the PB license
is silent about Backups and only stipulates using the software
on one computer (which I do), it would seem unlikely that making
backups are breaking the software license.

Also it is quite common for companies to backup entire harddrives
for protection and if they are smart they make multiple backups
(one backup is never enough). They obviously have no intention to
use software illegally, but are simply protecting their investment.

It would be nice of software licenses were a bit more explicit about
the issue of backups.


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[Dave Navarro]

If you read the license carefully, it does not say that you can't have it installed on more than one computer... Only that it can not be used *at the same time* on more than one computer.

This allows you to install it on your computer at home and your computer at work. As long as you are the only one who uses it, it can't be used on both systems at the same time.

--Dave


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[Lance Edmonds]

Eric's comments are good ones... always consult a lawyer for an opinion on how the license appies to your specific situation. As I noted, you can ask PB Sales specific answers on PowerBASIC license agreements.

However, lawyers aside, the key word in the snippit I posted above would appear to be "move" (or rather "moved")...

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Lance
PowerBASIC Support
mailto:[email protected][email protected]</A>