Using someone elses license

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Ive seen a few people say things like Im starting a forum using my friends vB/IPB license.

Do you think its wise to start up a forum (or convert an existing forum) using a license owned by someone else?





They are the one who really owns your forum and they can take it away from you at any time.. Or if you refuse to give it up they can report you to their respective software company and they will come making legal threats to your host.. Sure you might think of this person as a friend but all it takes is one or two arguments/disagreements for something like this to happen..



Personally I would never run a forum using someone else's license. I remember when I ran a popular forum a while back I had several people approach me to let me borrow their software license. I always declined because I dont want to take that risk. I'd rather run it off a free software that I have control over or buy a software license myself.

 

[Ashley]

This is why I always preferred free software. Then you can be done with it whenever YOU wanted to, and not when someone else wanted you to be done. I would never take that risk.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Normally what I'd do if the person was willing to 'transfer' me their whole folder of said software or give me their account. If I am allowed to change the password and e-mail I will so they couldn't get it back.XD

You could do that but that would not make you an owner of the software license and your forum would be illegal.

 

[Howard]

Personally I wouldn't want anything to do with using anyone else's licences.



Better to either buy a legit licence yourself or use a free alternative such as phpBB.

 

[sbfc]

I've never used someone else's license and I never will. As Nebulous said it's a risk and in addition to that trusting people is a silly idea.

 

[EvanP]

phpBB is just as good if you install some Mods.