Mail Archives: opendos/1998/07/05/11:16:59
> From: Howard Schwartz <theo AT ncal DOT verio DOT com>
> To say one can distribute or download DR. DOS 7.02 for free
> e.g.,
> REDISTRIBUTION OF THE SOFTWARE IS PERMITTED FOR NON-COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
> is VERY different than saying an individual can use it for free.
> Distribution usually refers to placing a program on various site
> for download, even though the program itself may be shareware.
My thoughts exactly. I was going over my various downloads of Caldera's DOS
and was intrigued to discover that in my 12/97 download of OpenDOS 7.02 the
license statement had no restriction on evaluation by non-business users
(current downloads say "limited to a reasonable period") which would in
effect make it freeware for non-business use (Qmodem Test Drive's license
is the same way). However, it also prohibits redistribution.
Effectively, that copy is "free to use", but not "free to distribute", the
reverse of the license agreement accompanying present downloads.
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