My question in FOSS is whether, or how the license applies, if anyone can clarify it for me. I'm not going into a legal battle, I just am having issues rectifying the licensing with my expectations.
Also, ia most FOSS is written this way, with an expectation that organizations have to pay for licensing to use the software?
The issue below is for AGPL and PDFCreator. AGPL, if I read it correctly, seems to restrict restrictions on the license.
I work as MSP for an entity who uses PDFCreator, quite possibly based on a previous license.
I can't otherwise explain the use or make changes myself, other than it is used as a PDF printer on user desktops to create digital documents.
What I can say is that we had recently attempted to automate the process of installing it with new computers. We ran into a minor hiccup and contacted their support for assistance. The response was that the program is not intended for free use in a corporate environment and that we will need to purchase licenses.
While I take issue with their determination and restriction of the use, it is their software and they make the rules. I'm not sure if they are violating the GPL, but I'd like some understanding if anything has a different interpretation.
We will most likely just use the built in PDF creator. A loss for the FOSS footprint, but not something I can control.
I am not a lawyer but previously in my career I dealt with software licensing and FOSS. When it comes to charging for FOSS it is almost always for support. Otherwise you are 100% on your own to read documentation and figure out how to use it.
I am not surprised at all by their reaction and request for you to pay for the software when calling for technical support. This is their business model, make money off of the tech support.
100% how I read their license page. It isn't like we are using it within another application, just literally using it as advertised. Unfortunately, the email came off as advising us that the software isn't intended for use without a business license so we are now investigating other options.