I just thought , if the hostingcp was recoded with no vb core routines - then this hack could be marketed as an addon to vb with it's own liscence. That would change the situation somewhat.
Yeah but I bet Jelsoft never saw it as a threat until a automation utility came out. So where does Jelsoft go from here.
A. Bury the hack, and contact several hunder boards that are currently Co-Hosting small forums?
B. Purchase the hack from the creator and build opon it
I have one leased license and 1 owned license awaiting to be renewed and 6 more to purchase, I think i'll wait.
Folks, I don't think there's much point in discussing the morality of the situation here. It's a simple legal issue based upon the interpretation of a [relatively simple] licensing agreement; that's all this is going to hinge on.
Obviously, this hack isn't in Jelsoft's long-term interests; to allow an EZBoard situation would be damaging to them as a company (more damaging than a few vBulletin.org readers refusing to renew their licenses). However, whether or not it is in their interests, the only thing relevant to this discussion is the terms of the license agreement - either the hack violates the agreement, or it does not.
As I've stated several times, I am fully confident that the hack does not violate the agreement; confident enough that I feel I could easily withstand any legal challenge on the matter, and confident enough that I would use the hack if [the hack author's] own license terms didn't conflict with my desired usage of the hack (but that's another issue).
Nothing in the license agreement prohibits this hack - the hack itself does nothing illegal.
Agreed.
Quote:
Claiming this hack is illegal is ridiculous - claiming it is against the license agreement is less so, but still too headstrong. Just because you write a license agreement for the use of your software does not make it the word of law.
A licensing agreement is a form of contract, and is fully legally binding on both parties until the agreement is disolved (either by breach, mutual consent or expiration).
I have over 70 forums that I 'hosted', before I had this hack. All this does is allow the users to do the tasks they would usually have to e-mail me to do. Saving me time. This loses nobody profit - the people I host forums for would never even consider buying vB. I don't see what the problem is here.
In your case no one is loosing profit. But this hack allows one to Host forums or Co-Host a forum on a one vbulletin install license, wich is what you just admitted to right? So take your same situation to a John doe thats charging like $5 per setup for some person that just wants a lil vb forum, and thats where the problem comes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FleaBag
My forums are coming up for re-newal also - if this hack is 'outlawed' I might find myself making the switch to a system that doesn't view this situation so aggresively.
Hell if this hack is outlawed then co-hosting forums on a one vbulleting install license should be outlawed as well.
So take your same situation to a John doe thats charging like $5 per setup for some person that just wants a lil vb forum, and thats where the problem comes.
Not in Jelsoft's interests, certainly, but perfectly legal according to their licensing agreement (however, not so according to the licensing agreement governing the hack itself - but that has nothing to do with Jelsoft, just with the author of the hack).
btw: Everyone should consider, that this is not a decision of Jelsoft atm, but 'only' the reaction of a handful of mods (nothing personal against any of the mods ... definately not. They're just trying to do their job), because they a in doubt if this is legal and want this to be discussed, rather than watching a 'possible' license infringement to grow more and more.
In other words: Don't blame Jelsoft until a descision has been made.
Obviously, this hack isn't in Jelsoft's long-term interests; to allow an EZBoard situation would be damaging to them as a company (more damaging than a few vBulletin.org readers refusing to renew their licenses).
Several hundred sites are already doing this, but now with "automation"
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morrus
As I've stated several times, I am fully confident that the hack does not violate the agreement; confident enough that I feel I could easily withstand any legal challenge on the matter, and confident enough that I would use the hack if [the hack author's] own license terms didn't conflict with my desired usage of the hack (but that's another issue).
I'm confident as well, but we all know at the end of the day this hack was taken offline because one could actually use it as a EZBoard setup and use the vBulletin 3 subscription feature and charge actually make a profit charging people. I'm sorry im just thinking outside the box.
I am fully confident that it does not break the license agreement, but Wayne does have a right to have this investigated. If it is not reinstated, however, then we can jump on in an get pissed off about it all. Until then, though, just relax.
03-23-2004, 11:45 PM
Linear Mode
