Can vBulletin ban anyone from using there software?

[WurkAnimal]

Just wondered this, can they? I don't think 'can they' is in the question, it's 'do they'?

[Sergio68]

Yep, I suppose, since the licence it is not ownership, but just temporary permission to use.

[rasp187]

I don't think they can ban, per se. Aside from contacting the host of whoever is providing the space for the illegal forum, there's not much they can do, but I could be totally wrong.

[filburt1]

They can do whatever is stated in the licensing terms, and at least according to US law (yes, I know Jelsoft is based in the UK), a business can refuse to do business with anybody of their choosing so long as it's not because of ethnicity, sexual orientation, etc.

[Floris]

The license grants you permission to run a copy. You do not purchase the ownership of the software. The same goes with Windows OS for example.

Jelsoft.com License Agreement - http://www.vbulletin.com/order/license_agreement.php

[rezapci]

I guess if you pay $120 something to own it...! don't I right?

[Dean C]

I guess if you pay $120 something to own it...! don't I right?

When you get a driving license, it doesn't give you ownership of a car, it gives you the right to drive one. That's the same case with a vBulletin license.

[jhina]

When you get a driving license, it doesn't give you ownership of a car, it gives you the right to drive one. That's the same case with a vBulletin license.

Thats the case with everything, also about the banning people form using vB boards Jelsoft owns VB but it cant just automatically make EVERY vb ban someone so in the direct question of can they ban someone the direct awnser is no unless they wrote in into the code to start with or in an upgrade.

[Sergio68]

I guess if you pay $120 something to own it...! don't I right?

You should read better : http://www.vbulletin.com/order/license_agreement.php

Thats the case with everything, also about the banning people form using vB boards Jelsoft owns VB but it cant just automatically make EVERY vb ban someone so in the direct question of can they ban someone the direct awnser is no unless they wrote in into the code to start with or in an upgrade.

Mhhh... I think they can, they certainly cannot force you or most properly they don't want to

[Cromulent]

Thats the case with everything, also about the banning people form using vB boards Jelsoft owns VB but it cant just automatically make EVERY vb ban someone so in the direct question of can they ban someone the direct awnser is no unless they wrote in into the code to start with or in an upgrade.

I think the question was can they ban someone from running a vBulletin forum, not whether they can ban individual members on a third party forum running vBulletin.

[Omri.L]

The quick answer is NO, they cannot.

[KimmiKat]

If they did, there would be a lot of bad publicity which would spread across the WWW faster then speed of Superman. It has already happened.

[Joe Gronlund]

Not good for business as said, but any company can refuse the sale of their product to anyone "Thats usually put in the license agreement"..

Not likely to happen, unless its known that its going to be used for something the FBI/RCMP would have a tiff over. Or similiar organization in the country where it was to be purchased..

[Sergio68]

If they did, there would be a lot of bad publicity which would spread across the WWW faster then speed of Superman. It has already happened.

I suppose that IF they ban someone it's for a reason, not for fun.

[James Kojiro]

My company 15art, Inc. has a solid licence agreement that has the following statement:

15art, Inc. reserves the right at any time to revoke the sale of any CLUB package or anything we may sell at any time if we believe that it would be a gross violation of human rights, our rights as a business, our intellectual property rights, or Canadian law. Violation of Canadian law will invoke consultation with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and if needed, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.