Legal issues with distributing VB software

[HairyArsedBloke]

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.

[Sysman]

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.

[blacjac]

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/

[munky]

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!!!!!!

[xoggoth]

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.

[Durbs]

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.