LGPL and “Trade Secrets”
Posted: Tue Oct 15 2019 7:00 pm
This is one of those questions everybody hates but here goes. Let’s assume I work for an employer that creates applications for use within their company. Access to the application is restricted to employees or people under a non-disclosure agreement, so to use a legal term … I believe it is considered a “Trade Secret”. You will notice I did not say we were selling the application.
Is this a fair use of you library? If we later decide to sell the application is that fair use.
I ask these questions because the “Qt Company” has introduced new constraints in their licensing
https://www.qt.io/terms-conditions/
I have been told by Qt or read their license …
- Qt has the right to audit my facility with 5 business days’ notice (section 11.2)
- Can’t mix Open Source Qt with Commercial Qt. (3.4 , viii)
- ALL developers on a project need a Commercial License if the project use ANY Qt
- Projects cannot be converted from Trade Secret to Commercial without retroactively paying license fees
- Once you stop paying the Annual License fee you must stop selling or using the application within (section 12.4)
I really want to be a “fair and honorable business person” I just want you opinions.
I also understand you are not lawyers, so I will not interpret your response as legal advice.
Regards
CandL
Is this a fair use of you library? If we later decide to sell the application is that fair use.
I ask these questions because the “Qt Company” has introduced new constraints in their licensing
https://www.qt.io/terms-conditions/
I have been told by Qt or read their license …
- Qt has the right to audit my facility with 5 business days’ notice (section 11.2)
- Can’t mix Open Source Qt with Commercial Qt. (3.4 , viii)
- ALL developers on a project need a Commercial License if the project use ANY Qt
- Projects cannot be converted from Trade Secret to Commercial without retroactively paying license fees
- Once you stop paying the Annual License fee you must stop selling or using the application within (section 12.4)
I really want to be a “fair and honorable business person” I just want you opinions.
I also understand you are not lawyers, so I will not interpret your response as legal advice.
Regards
CandL