Legal issues with distributing VB software - Contractor UK Bulletin Board

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Durbs replied

30 December 2009, 10:54
Originally posted by munky View Post

So I could distribute a vb program I've built on an unlicensed version of VB express 2005 for commercial purposes and It would be legal?

Yes, absolutely. VB Express is not 'unlicensed', it is free for anyone to use as they desire once activated.

Just be sure to include your own license to idemnify yourself against your apps use (or misuse). This is just a .txt doc stating how you wish it to be used and you are not liable for any damages caused etc etc. Look at the license.txt files of other similar apps and nick the text.

Last edited by Durbs; 30 December 2009, 10:58.
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xoggoth replied

30 December 2009, 09:48
Hey! Ta. I never knew there was a free edition of VB.net.

Maybe it will do instead of upgrading from VS2005 professional. Generally the non free stuff in these things is for professional uses that my progs don't need. The earlier ones were all in VB6 learning edition.
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munky replied

29 December 2009, 19:07
Sorry, my mistake. VB express IS free but you just need a Windows Live account to activate it after the initial "trial" period.

Thanks for replying!!!!!!
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blacjac replied

29 December 2009, 18:59
Originally posted by HairyArsedBloke View Post

Sorry munky, we've been 'messing the noobie around'.

Sorry again, but it is illegal for you to sell anything written in VB.NET Express.

I belive this changed a few years ago, and that all the express versions can now be used for commercial purposes.....

Edit:
details here
http://www.microsoft.com/express/support/faq/
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Sysman replied

29 December 2009, 18:26
Originally posted by VectraMan View Post

Isn't VB Express free? How do you licence it?

Going back to VB 3, you often needed to distribute the run time library VBRUN300.DLL as well. There were plenty of copies out there ready to download - smart software authors would offer a download with and without that, 'cos most of us were still on dial up in those days.

There were no licencing issues back then, at least none I was aware of.
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HairyArsedBloke replied

29 December 2009, 18:01
Sorry munky, we've been 'messing the noobie around'.

Sorry again, but it is illegal for you to sell anything written in VB.NET Express.
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VectraMan replied

29 December 2009, 17:52
Originally posted by munky View Post

So I could distribute a vb program I've built on an unlicensed version of VB express 2005 for commercial purposes and It would be legal?

Isn't VB Express free? How do you licence it?
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munky replied

29 December 2009, 16:58
Originally posted by blacjac View Post

No

So I could distribute a vb program I've built on an unlicensed version of VB express 2005 for commercial purposes and It would be legal?
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blacjac replied

29 December 2009, 15:35
No
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munky replied

29 December 2009, 15:33
Originally posted by Durbs View Post

There are no restrictions on you distributing it unless it contains any 3rd party controls or code that explicitly prohibit distribution in their license.

Well, I don't have a license as such. So I guess I'm going to need one to distribute my program lawfully?
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munky replied

29 December 2009, 15:27
"The mark of the beast"- is that techie jargon for a vb license?
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Durbs replied

29 December 2009, 10:57
Originally posted by HairyArsedBloke View Post

Maybe he doesn't have the mark of the beast?

As far as i am aware, the mark of the beast was included with all Visual Studio versions from 2003 onwards.
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HairyArsedBloke replied

29 December 2009, 10:53
Originally posted by VectraMan View Post

Why do you think you wouldn't be able to legally distribute it?

Maybe he doesn't have the mark of the beast?

And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
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VectraMan replied

29 December 2009, 10:46
Why do you think you wouldn't be able to legally distribute it?
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Durbs replied

29 December 2009, 10:46
There are no restrictions on you distributing it unless it contains any 3rd party controls or code that explicitly prohibit distribution in their license.
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