Difference between revisions of "SellingOOo"

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[[Draft marketing documents index]]
 
[[Draft marketing documents index]]
  
= FAQ: Is it Legal to sell OpenOffice.org Software? =
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= FAQ: Is it Legal to sell OpenOffice Software? =
  
 
The short answer: Yes
 
The short answer: Yes
  
OpenOffice.org software is licensed under LGPL free software licence. With certain restrictions, this means that people are free to sell the software on CD-ROM, via downloads, via [http://distribution.openoffice.org/ebay_page.html eBay] or any other way they choose, for whatever price people are willing to pay. The vendor is under no legal obligation to give any of the proceeds of sale to the OpenOffice.org Community.
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OpenOffice software is licensed under Apache free software license. With certain restrictions, this means that people are free to sell the software on CD-ROM, via downloads, via [http://distribution.openoffice.org/ebay_page.html eBay] or any other way they choose, for whatever price people are willing to pay. The vendor is under no legal obligation to give any of the proceeds of sale to the OpenOffice Community.
  
 
== The Rules ==
 
== The Rules ==
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Legally, sellers '''must''':
 
Legally, sellers '''must''':
  
* include a copy of the LGPL with the software
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* Comply with the [http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.html Apache License 2.0], with attention to section 4 Redistribution.
* state where the source code for OpenOffice.org may be obtained. They can provide this themselves or refer to http://www.openoffice.org
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* obtain our permission before using our trademarks, including our logo
* obtain our permission before using our registered trademark OpenOffice.org on a commercial site
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* comply with any consumer rights legislation in the appropriate jurisdiction
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== Community Distributors ==
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We encourage reputable CD-ROM sellers to [http://www.openoffice.org/about_us/OEM_and_CD.html register with us] as Community Distributors so we can [http://distribution.openoffice.org/cdrom/ list them on our website] as a service to potential buyers. These Distributors provide a valuable service to customers who cannot download directly via the internet. Other Distributors may bundle in other software or services and provide genuine 'added-value' which customers are happy to pay for.
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Before ordering from a Community Distributor, please check their CDs meet your requirements and you are happy their price is reasonable. As a last resort, the [http://marketing.openoffice.org OpenOffice.org Marketing Project] has an [http://www.lulu.com/ooo on-line store on Lulu] which prints CD-ROMs on demand and generates income for OpenOffice.org. However, it should nearly always be possible to buy cheaper from a local Community Distributor who will produce in bulk and have lower shipping costs.
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== Detailed FAQs ==
 
== Detailed FAQs ==
  
==== I've just paid for OpenOffice.org and now I've discovered I could have downloaded it for free ====
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==== I've just paid for OpenOffice and now I've discovered I could have downloaded it for free ====
  
 
You may have a claim under local consumer rights legislation but it's unlikely. Sorry, we aren't lawyers.
 
You may have a claim under local consumer rights legislation but it's unlikely. Sorry, we aren't lawyers.
  
==== I've just paid for OpenOffice.org and the seller hasn't sent me anything ====
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==== I've just paid for OpenOffice and the seller hasn't sent me anything ====
  
 
You probably do have a claim under local consumer rights legislation. Again, we aren't lawyers.
 
You probably do have a claim under local consumer rights legislation. Again, we aren't lawyers.
  
==== I've just paid for '''XYZ''' Office (insert name) and it's really OpenOffice.org ====
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==== I've just paid for '''XYZ''' Office (insert name) and it's really OpenOffice ====
  
 
As long as the vendor hasn't broken any of the rules, they aren't doing anything wrong.
 
As long as the vendor hasn't broken any of the rules, they aren't doing anything wrong.
 
==== I've just been ripped off by one of your Community Distributors ====
 
 
Please send full details to mailto:cdrom@distribution.openoffice.org and we'll see what we can do to help. However, OpenOffice.org does not endorse any of Community Distributors nor do we guarantee the contents of the CDs they sell.
 
  
 
==== Isn't this all very unfair? ====
 
==== Isn't this all very unfair? ====
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There can be situations where people charge a reasonable price for sending a CD or offering additional support. But we don't like it when people make use of our software as a means of ripping people off. We don't like it when people make use of what the Community has produced and don't donate anything back to the Community.
 
There can be situations where people charge a reasonable price for sending a CD or offering additional support. But we don't like it when people make use of our software as a means of ripping people off. We don't like it when people make use of what the Community has produced and don't donate anything back to the Community.
  
So please help us - tell everyone about OpenOffice.org. Encourage them to come directly to us. Share your copy of the software with them. The more people know about OpenOffice.org, then the fewer people there are for unscrupulous sellers to target.
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So please help us - tell everyone about OpenOffice. Encourage them to come directly to us. Share your copy of the software with them. The more people know about OpenOffice, then the fewer people there are for unscrupulous sellers to target.

Latest revision as of 12:12, 11 June 2013

Category:Draft marketing ideas and materials

Draft marketing documents index

FAQ: Is it Legal to sell OpenOffice Software?

The short answer: Yes

OpenOffice software is licensed under Apache free software license. With certain restrictions, this means that people are free to sell the software on CD-ROM, via downloads, via eBay or any other way they choose, for whatever price people are willing to pay. The vendor is under no legal obligation to give any of the proceeds of sale to the OpenOffice Community.

The Rules

This is provided for guidance only - if you want legal advice, please consult a qualified legal professional

Legally, sellers must:

  • Comply with the Apache License 2.0, with attention to section 4 Redistribution.
  • obtain our permission before using our trademarks, including our logo

Detailed FAQs

I've just paid for OpenOffice and now I've discovered I could have downloaded it for free

You may have a claim under local consumer rights legislation but it's unlikely. Sorry, we aren't lawyers.

I've just paid for OpenOffice and the seller hasn't sent me anything

You probably do have a claim under local consumer rights legislation. Again, we aren't lawyers.

I've just paid for XYZ Office (insert name) and it's really OpenOffice

As long as the vendor hasn't broken any of the rules, they aren't doing anything wrong.

Isn't this all very unfair?

There can be situations where people charge a reasonable price for sending a CD or offering additional support. But we don't like it when people make use of our software as a means of ripping people off. We don't like it when people make use of what the Community has produced and don't donate anything back to the Community.

So please help us - tell everyone about OpenOffice. Encourage them to come directly to us. Share your copy of the software with them. The more people know about OpenOffice, then the fewer people there are for unscrupulous sellers to target.

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