Can the program extort money?

tau2012-12-14 09:32:33

Database

tau, 2012-12-14 09:32:33

Good afternoon.
The company installed a program that was free for one workplace and began to use it, having already started a rather large database in it. After some time, the program reports that from the New Year you have to pay for the use, otherwise the base will be destroyed. The fact that the program will suddenly become paid was not reported anywhere in advance. Moreover, the site still says that the program is free for one workplace.
To what extent is it legal? While it looks like a banal extortion?
What can be done in such a situation?

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10 answer(s)

Talyutin, 2012-12-14
@Talyutin

First of all, export the database to another location!

super, 2012-12-14
@super

Do you consider software payment option at all? In my opinion, the author rightly requires payment.

Hint, 2012-12-14
@Hint

There was one famous case when people started using a database program, and after a while it went into demo mode and demanded to buy the full version. A criminal case was opened against the author (I don’t know how it ended).
Here is one of the articles on Habré: habrahabr.ru/post/111744/

n00buK, 2012-12-14
@n00buK

Maybe start by contacting the developers? Let them comment on the situation.
Review the license agreement. If it doesn’t exist (or bullshit is written), then, I’m afraid (although I’ve never been a lawyer) de jure nothing will work out.
As an option, try to find a cracker who can skillfully cut out unnecessary modules.
But, IMHO, first a dialogue with the developers.

kuzemchik, 2012-12-14
@kuzemchik

This can be classified as data corruption (similar to the case already mentioned). Since the program does not give access to your data.
The license must state that such behavior is stipulated during use. For example, if you agreed to such a revision during the update, then this is it.
In short, you need to read the license. If there is no removal of liability from the developer anywhere, then you can go to court.

MaxUp, 2012-12-14
@MaxUp

it all depends on the license. If persons. was not ... then in fact the author can do almost anything he wants (Except for deliberate data corruption). He can run a banner (as he told you, but the program still turns out to be free, and the banner is not a limitation) or he can make the program completely paid (from version X).

Igor Fatkulin, 2012-12-15
@ingiboy

Is it possible to demand something from the author, who is not entitled to anything, there is no contract, and in general, all programs are usually provided as is, i.e. nobody guarantees you anything?

astrobeglec, 2012-12-14
@astrobeglec

There is a wording in the Civil Code - the author of intellectual property sets the conditions for use, suits - use it, no - do not use it. However, there are no restrictions at all.

Nikolai Turnaviotov, 2012-12-14
@foxmuldercp

The database and the type of the database are already known - the structure and data can be pulled out.
1. the first thing is to make a full backup of the machine on which work was carried out in this software - either with something like an acronym or a built-in Windows backup
2. Find software and export data from FireBird to any readable format that the converter can do.
3. Import data into sql/postgres/mysql/oracle/excel/ms sql/ms access/dbf/nosql/csv.
4. Write a face to this case in php / perl / DotNet / some other language - by the staff or programmers involved in the project.
To get a normal product, if you want to send it to open source - it’s better to contact IT lawyers about copyrights.

MatrixFailure, 2013-11-15
@MatrixFailure

If you mean that after the new year, your existing version will stop working and at the same time it was not written in the program itself, in the license agreement, or on the site that it is:
- time-limited version
- demo version
- test version,
then I would say that it was dishonest on the part of the author to write that the program is free.