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Distributing a VBA app to clients... licensing?
We're in the process of developing an Excel based VBA application that we
would like to distribute to several clients. I would like to know what the licensing issues are in regards to distributing this app to clients. Do we need to pay Microsoft? Any info and/or links to official sites with info would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Ken Coakley |
#2
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Distributing a VBA app to clients... licensing?
Ken,
No, you don't need permission or a license from MS to distribute Excel/VBA applications, nor do you have to pay any sort of royalty. Of course, you can't distribute Excel itself with your application; end users must have a valid copy of Excel. -- Cordially, Chip Pearson Microsoft MVP - Excel Pearson Software Consulting, LLC www.cpearson.com "Kenneth E. Coakley" wrote in message ... We're in the process of developing an Excel based VBA application that we would like to distribute to several clients. I would like to know what the licensing issues are in regards to distributing this app to clients. Do we need to pay Microsoft? Any info and/or links to official sites with info would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Ken Coakley |
#3
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Distributing a VBA app to clients... licensing?
Chip,
Thanks for the quick reply. You've confirmed my suspicions regarding VBA licensing/royalty issues. Not to be a pest, but do you know of an official Microsoft source that confirms this? The powers-that-be here need to see something "in writing" before we can proceed with development. Thanks again for your help. Sincerely, Ken Coakley "Chip Pearson" wrote in message ... Ken, No, you don't need permission or a license from MS to distribute Excel/VBA applications, nor do you have to pay any sort of royalty. Of course, you can't distribute Excel itself with your application; end users must have a valid copy of Excel. -- Cordially, Chip Pearson Microsoft MVP - Excel Pearson Software Consulting, LLC www.cpearson.com "Kenneth E. Coakley" wrote in message ... We're in the process of developing an Excel based VBA application that we would like to distribute to several clients. I would like to know what the licensing issues are in regards to distributing this app to clients. Do we need to pay Microsoft? Any info and/or links to official sites with info would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Ken Coakley |
#4
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Distributing a VBA app to clients... licensing?
Ken:
You may have to search for a specific statement that will fully satisfy the powers-that-be. The permissions I've seen might be considered more implied than outright in the most literal legal sense. Even the EULA (End User License Agreement, which can be accessed via Help) doesn't seem to say directly but the reading I give it is that the restrictions are on the Excel program itself, NOT any files you make *from* Excel (which makes sense). Here is a link to the OfficeXP Developer Guide on MSDN. (This is the documentation that came with the Developer Edition). An Office 2000 version is in the same place. For Office 97, look at Knowledge base article Q163410. http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en...osoftOffice200 2Developer.asp?frame=true Microsoft freely discusses how to distribute customized Office apps, wizards and addins. Few, if any, licensing prohibitions are mentioned. Of course, you can't distribute Excel, Word, themselves. But you can freely distribute Microsoft's viewers for Excel, Word. If you own the Office Developer's Edition you can freely distribute a Runtime version of Access. Good luck with your powers-that-be, -- George Nicholson Remove 'Junk' from return address. "Kenneth E. Coakley" wrote in message ... Chip, Thanks for the quick reply. You've confirmed my suspicions regarding VBA licensing/royalty issues. Not to be a pest, but do you know of an official Microsoft source that confirms this? The powers-that-be here need to see something "in writing" before we can proceed with development. Thanks again for your help. Sincerely, Ken Coakley "Chip Pearson" wrote in message ... Ken, No, you don't need permission or a license from MS to distribute Excel/VBA applications, nor do you have to pay any sort of royalty. Of course, you can't distribute Excel itself with your application; end users must have a valid copy of Excel. -- Cordially, Chip Pearson Microsoft MVP - Excel Pearson Software Consulting, LLC www.cpearson.com "Kenneth E. Coakley" wrote in message ... We're in the process of developing an Excel based VBA application that we would like to distribute to several clients. I would like to know what the licensing issues are in regards to distributing this app to clients. Do we need to pay Microsoft? Any info and/or links to official sites with info would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Ken Coakley |
#5
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Distributing a VBA app to clients... licensing?
On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 13:52:45 -0600, "George Nicholson"
wrote: Ken: You may have to search for a specific statement that will fully satisfy the powers-that-be. The permissions I've seen might be considered more implied than outright in the most literal legal sense. Even the EULA (End User License Agreement, which can be accessed via Help) doesn't seem to say directly but the reading I give it is that the restrictions are on the Excel program itself, NOT any files you make *from* Excel (which makes sense). Here is a link to the OfficeXP Developer Guide on MSDN. (This is the documentation that came with the Developer Edition). An Office 2000 version is in the same place. For Office 97, look at Knowledge base article Q163410. http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en...osoftOffice200 2Developer.asp?frame=true Microsoft freely discusses how to distribute customized Office apps, wizards and addins. Few, if any, licensing prohibitions are mentioned. Of course, you can't distribute Excel, Word, themselves. But you can freely distribute Microsoft's viewers for Excel, Word. If you own the Office Developer's Edition you can freely distribute a Runtime version of Access. Good luck with your powers-that-be, You could also ask them (the powers) to define exactly how a custom app differs from a simple spreadsheet... (just for the amusement value of course) |
#6
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Distributing a VBA app to clients... licensing?
lol
whose amusement? the powers or non-powers? -- George Nicholson Remove 'Junk' from return address. "ajames54" wrote in message ... On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 13:52:45 -0600, "George Nicholson" wrote: Ken: You may have to search for a specific statement that will fully satisfy the powers-that-be. The permissions I've seen might be considered more implied than outright in the most literal legal sense. Even the EULA (End User License Agreement, which can be accessed via Help) doesn't seem to say directly but the reading I give it is that the restrictions are on the Excel program itself, NOT any files you make *from* Excel (which makes sense). Here is a link to the OfficeXP Developer Guide on MSDN. (This is the documentation that came with the Developer Edition). An Office 2000 version is in the same place. For Office 97, look at Knowledge base article Q163410. http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en...rosoftOffice20 0 2Developer.asp?frame=true Microsoft freely discusses how to distribute customized Office apps, wizards and addins. Few, if any, licensing prohibitions are mentioned. Of course, you can't distribute Excel, Word, themselves. But you can freely distribute Microsoft's viewers for Excel, Word. If you own the Office Developer's Edition you can freely distribute a Runtime version of Access. Good luck with your powers-that-be, You could also ask them (the powers) to define exactly how a custom app differs from a simple spreadsheet... (just for the amusement value of course) |
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