Several domains and integration questions

[Gabi334]

Hi,

We are developing an extended product for one of our clients, and we need to integrate a forum platform for this product. We have used vBulletin in the past, and would like to continue using this software we have come to know rather well.

We have, however, a few questions:

1) Licensing & domains. We are going to launch the platform in several countries, each with it's own TLD. Do we need a license for each domain, or can we buy an extended license?

2) Licensing & subdomains. Can we use the license of domain.tld on both subdomain1.domain.tld and subdomain2.domain.tld, or do we need two sepparate licenses?

3) Altering the code. We are going to alter some of the source code to match our needs, regarding user authentication and other integrated services. Is this legal? Can we alter the sourcecode in any way we wish, as long as we keep the copyright line at the bottom?

4) Considering the full licensing package (160$ or so) what other legal restrictions aply (let's say in a nutshell, not the whole EULA).

Thanks,
Gabriel

[Cyber Smoke]

Hello,

If all of your (sub)domains are referring to the same forum, then nothing else besides 1 Owned License is required for that case. It doesn't matter, how many other domains are referring to that forum, if that is always the same forum accessible from the different domain names. For a detailed explanation, please see this thread by Jake Bunce: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=103150

And in regard to altering the software code - yes, you're allowed to do that. But, you will be unable to receive technical support linked to the potions of the modified code or the matters where it is your code preventing the bulletin board from working properly.

[Steve Machol]

1. Yes, you will need a license for each domain and installation of vB. Each license is good for one installation of vBulletin, i.e., one set of vB files on one domain with one set of vB database tables. As an example, our support forums are all under one license:

http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/

As per the license agreement:

"vBulletin license grants you the right to run one instance (a single installation) of the Software on one web server and one web site for each license purchased. Each license may power one instance of the Software on one domain. For each installed instance of the Software, a separate license is required. Modifications to the software or database to circumvent the one-license-one-board rule are prohibited."


2. No, you will need to use the license files for each domain sperately.

3. Yes, you can modify the vB source code. Just be aware that we do not provide official support for such modifications or fourms running modified code. However we do have a vB mod site with unofficial support available for this: http://www.vbulletin.org/

4. In a nutshell, one installation per license and the software cannot be used for for activities in support of copyright and Intellectual Property infringements. You also cannot remove the copyright info from the forum pages unless you purchase a branding free option per license.

You can view the license agreement here:

http://www.vbulletin.com/order/license_agreement.php

[Gabi334]

Great, thanks a lot.