As users of VB may already know, Zentith Infotech http://www.zenithinfotech.com is using VirtualBox (3.0.10 r54097) to create virtual machine instances from backup images on thier BDR appliances. However, I noticed by reviewing the actual files installed onto a new Zenith BDR model, they are using the VirtualBox Personal Use and Evaluation License version, which would appear to be in conflict with some of the PUEL agreement terms:
§ 2 Grant of license. (1) Sun grants you a personal, non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited license without fees to reproduce, install, execute, and use internally the Product a Host Computer for your Personal Use, Educational Use, or Evaluation. “Personal Use” requires that you use the Product on the same Host Computer where you installed it yourself and that no more than one client connect to that Host Computer at a time for the purpose of displaying Guest Computers remotely. “Educational use” is any use in an academic institution (schools, colleges and universities, by teachers and students). “Evaluation” means testing the Product for a reasonable period (that is, normally for a few weeks); after expiry of that term, you are no longer permitted to evaluate the Product.
Maybe I'm wrong, but it sure would seem like Zenith is allowing '...more than one client connect to that Host Computer at a time for the purpose displaying Guest Computers' as well as 'use internally'/'Personal Use' and 'where you installed it yourself', not to mention the general 'intent' of the PUEL agreement. I'm guessing Sun/Oracle did not mean for a PUEL version to be utilized in a commercial product in this manner. Maybe Zenith Infotech and Sun/Oracle came to some agreement in the past, but I could not find any supporting information in this regard.
I'm happy to see VirtualBox utilized in commercial products, but I also know how the license terms of open source projects are at times mistakenly or intentionally violated by corporations unfamiliar with the GPL. What do you all think?
Zenith Infotech & VirtualBox PUEL?
-
zipman2
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 17. Nov 2010, 20:14
- Primary OS: Linux other
- VBox Version: OSE other
- Guest OSses: linux, windows
Move along: I found the OEM agreement
Sorry, it looks like I jumped the gun: https://sun.systemnews.com/articles/126/2/xVM/20433
...still, it's odd they include the PUEL agreement right in the 'Start Menu' entry for VirtualBox.
...still, it's odd they include the PUEL agreement right in the 'Start Menu' entry for VirtualBox.