illegal creativity?

[Lynn Fredricks]

> viktoras wrote:
> > I am about to complete a database tool (commercial) and "suddenly" 
> > remembered license terms of one commercial database prohibiting 
> > creation of tools capable to import databases created with their 
> > product into any other database system.
> > 
> > Although this export/import was not a purpose of my program 
> I wanted 
> > to add this as an additional feature. Now I am not sure if 
> it is legal 
> > at all? Or is it? Or it depends?..
> 
> The most useful answer would likely come from either the 
> vendor or a lawyer.  Not sure which one would cost less.  ;)

Id very carefully review the license, and check with the vendor. Chance are,
the bigger the vendor, the less likely they are going to even reply to your
inquiries about licensing (except to offer you a big mark up).

There is also a difference too if you can import their format without using
their components.

With a vendor, you never know until you try. But with a lawyer, you always
lose money, from the moment they open their mouths.

Best regards,

Lynn Fredricks
President
Paradigma Software
http://www.paradigmasoft.com

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