Sync4j Licensing
Sync4j is released under the `GNU General Public License' (`GPL'). This
means that Sync4j can be used free of charge under the `GPL'. If you do not
want to be bound by the `GPL' terms (such as the requirement that your
application must also be `GPL', you may purchase a commercial license for
the same product from Funambol; contact Funambol at sales@funambol.com .
Since Funambol owns the copyright to the Sync4j source code, we are able
to employ `Dual Licensing', which means that the same product is available
under `GPL' and under a commercial license. This does not in any way affect
the `Open Source' commitment of Funambol. For details about when a
commercial license is required, please see the Copyrights and Licensing
section of this manual.
Copyrights and Licenses Used by Sync4j
Funambol owns the copyright to the 'Sync4j' source code.
All the source code in Sync4j is covered by the 'GNU General Public
License'.
The text of this license can be found as the file 'COPYING' in the
distribution.
The GNU General Public License (GPL) is probably the best known Open Source
license. The formal terms of the 'GPL' license can be found at
http://www.fsf.org/licenses/.
See also http://www.fsf.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html
and http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/enforcing-gpl.html.
Since the 'Sync4j' software is released under the 'GPL', it may often be
used for free, but for certain uses you may want or need to buy commercial
licenses from 'Funambol'. Contact Funambol at sales@funambol.com for more
information.
Using the Sync4j Software Under a Commercial License
The GPL license is contagious in the sense that when a program is linked
to a 'GPL' program all the source code for all the parts of the resulting
product must also be released under the 'GPL'. If you do not follow this
'GPL' requirement, you break the license terms and forfeit your right to
use the 'GPL' program altogether. You also risk damages.
You need a commercial license:
- When you link a program with any 'GPL' code from the 'Sync4j' software
and don't want the resulting product to be licensed under 'GPL', perhaps
because you want to build a commercial product or keep the added
non-'GPL' code closed source for other reasons.
When purchasing commercial licenses, you are not using the 'Sync4j'
software under 'GPL' even though it's the same code.
- When you distribute a non-'GPL' application that *only* works with the
'Sync4j' software and ship it with the 'Sync4j' software. This type of
solution is considered to be linking even if it's done over a network.
- When you distribute copies of the 'Sync4j' software without providing
the source code as required under the 'GPL' license.
- When you want to support the further development of the 'Sync4j' even
if you don't formally need a commercial license.
Purchasing support directly from 'Funambol' is another good way of
contributing to the development of the 'Sync4j' software, with immediate
advantages for you.
For commercial licenses, please contact Funambol at sales@funambol.com.
Using the Sync4j Software for Free Under GPL
You can use the 'sync4j' software for free under the 'GPL' if you adhere to
the conditions of the 'GPL'. Common uses of the 'GPL' include:
- When you distribute both your own application and the 'Sync4j' source
code under the 'GPL' with your product.
- When you distribute the 'Sync4j' source code bundled with other programs
that are not linked to or dependent on the 'Sync4j' system for their
functionality even if you sell the distribution commercially.
This is called mere aggregation in the 'GPL' license.
- When you are not distributing *any* part of the 'Sync4j' system, you can
use it for free.
If your use of 'Sync4j' software does not require a commercial license, we
encourage you to purchase support from 'Funambol' anyway. This way you
contribute toward 'Sync4j' development and also gain immediate advantages
for yourself.
If you use the 'Sync4j' software in a commercial context such that you
profit by its use, we ask that you further the development of the 'Sync4j'
software by purchasing some level of support. We feel that if the 'Sync4j'
helps your business, it is reasonable to ask that you help 'Funambol'.
(Otherwise, if you ask us support questions, you are not only using for free
something into which we've put a lot a work, you're asking us to provide
free support, too.)