Software Licencing

[tacpot]

It depends on where you are being asked to install the software:

If you are installing the software on equipment your company owns, you are responsible for purchasing the license.

If you are installing the software on equipment the client owns, they are responsible for purchasing the license.

Only complication is if you install software on the client's equipment without their permission.

[VectraMan]

I can't see how that's a problem. If you need software to do the work, and they don't have a valid licence, then they should have informed you and it's your responsibility to obtain the software and make it legal. If they've said you can use their software, then it's their responsibility.

[MarillionFan]

Present site I am on asked that I bring my own laptop/virus guard to use on their network and patch into their systems. I asked them about a SQL Server Installation and they were like 'Oh. We assumed you would have it, cant really let you have a copy there - licensing.'

Eventually I managed to 'borrow' a copy to install from external sources. I put my laptop on the network only to discover that I had limited access to certain directories. 'Ah they went - security'. A change request had to be raised to allow access to the directory/folders I was supposed to be writing to. Three people had to sign it!!!!!

Then they gave the login/password to their whole customer database which was sa, password the whole freaking thing was unencrypted and I could download/look at anything with impunity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unreal!

[Cowboy Bob]

For me as a developer:-

1) If it's server software, then I don't install it. It's not my responsibility to make sure servers are up and running correctly.
2) If it's client side software then if I'm using my laptop (90% of the time) I wont install it anyway, and if the hardware belongs to the client see 1.

[cojak]

Ooh, now that's a good question...

What are you? If you are just installing software then I would at least ask if the company's licences are in place. Not much you can do if they lie but at least you've asked.

[Kwalker]

I'm looking for a bit of informal guidance. It hasn't hapened to me yet but I'm always wary when I go to a new client site and am handed installation disks. Is it my responsibility to check the licencing.