Red-Gate Answers Back

Red-Gate has answered the blog and all the hype it created earlier this week. A comment was posted to the original blog, and I’m going to just copy it here, partially to make sure that everyone sees it, and partially because I’m really bad about going in to approve comments.

Here’s the message:

The clause in the license agreement referred to in these posts is designed to prevent the use of a single license on multiple machines by continually transferring the license between machines. We can see, however, that the wording of the license can be interpreted in a different, more sinister way. It was never intended to stop people from transferring licenses in the case of upgrades, replacement of old equipment, reorganization, or any other legitimate reason, and we apologize if customers or prospective customers interpreted it this way.

I believe that any customer who does business with Red Gate Software knows that we operate in an atmosphere of trust and respect. We are working now on changing our licensing terms to make our policies clear. In the meantime, if anybody is concerned about this issue, please contact me directly at nick.warren@red-gate.com.

Nick Warren Head of Customer Support, Red Gate Software

I’m glad to see them step up to the plate and try to straighten this out right away, and frankly I’m not surprised. I’ve always known Red-Gate to go out of their way for their customers. That’s really why I was so shocked to see that in their license.

Now above, Nick said that he said that he can see how that wording could be used for evil, and while I agree, I just don’t see how it could be taken any other way. There’s just not much wiggle room in there for interpreting it any other way.

However, guys, when you get it changed, let me know and I’ll post it here so everyone knows it. And make sure you put some language in there stating that the changes are retroactive so that those who already have licenses are covered.