FreeLists / 4d_rad / [4d_rad] Re: clarification: perpetual licensing

[Guy Algot <guya_gdc@xxxxxxx>]

On 10/25/00 11:07 AM, Bill Hernandez sent:

>One of the things that I would like to see, is engine licensing that is
>dependent upon your product price, and whether you sell one or a thousand
>copies or your merged product, you send 4D, Inc. a percentage.

I think this is how their OEM agreement goes now. They just want more 
than my clients and I can afford...

I would rather see an 'upfront here's how much you pay us for the tools' 
approach vs. 'we get a little bit of everything' approach. A yearly 
subscription, like the developer program, for the tools I agree with as 
well.

Does it seem like we, as developers, get to shoulder the burden of the 
fact that 4D isn't as successful as they want? They want access to our 
customer base instead of their customer base? I certainly can see the 
reason behind it... 

As well I think they overlook the possible market exposure they may get 
in certain vertical shrinkwrap situations (as someone as already 
mentioned) and in the OEM agreement (which gives away to speculation and 
instability) try to lump everyone into  a particular mold based on money 
instead of market exposure.

Granted,  I have little experience in what's out there in licensing 
terms. I have been using 4D since 1989 and have never had a reason to 
look elsewhere. But I too have a demo as well as the book on RealBasic...

Later,
Guy

P.S. Bill, great looking plane... as close as I get to flying is 
highmarking a hill on my Polaris (snowmobile that is).



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Guy Algot, Graphic Dimensions Consulting           (403) 861-9882
guya_gdc@xxxxxxx                                 Calgary, Alberta
"The higher, the fewer!"            Mac consulting/4D development
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'Remember that as a teenager you are in the last stage of your
life when you will be happy to hear that the phone is for you'
-- Fran Lebowitz