Hi Metin,

It was my posting that is being referred to. I wrote some routines that accessed the Zip routines built into XP and posted it in Downloads. I received an email a few days ago from Glen Horton of InnerMedia. It seems that MS bought a restricted licence to use the DynaZip code then tried to prevent it being used programmatically in accordance with their licence. However my code allowed the Zip routines of XP to be used programmatically.

I have deleted my file from the download section and posted a note similar to this earlier this week. Quite apart from any legal considerations I think it would be wrong of me to exploit facilities in the OS that allow another's coding to be used, when this was not their intention.

A follow up concern of mine was if there were any other bits of the OS that had partial licencing where we could go astray when poking about. It would be nice if MS could let us know and produce a list of no go areas. I expect InnerMedia will be speaking to MS about locking down this bit of XP a little harder.

I have reproduced Glen's email below.

Alan

Hello Alan,

I was very surprised to see your inventive approach to using the Windows XP
zip folders facilities from VFP and I want to take this opportunity to let
you know of some legal ramifications related to the approach you have
developed.  

Third-party sub-licensing for using the Windows XP Shell zip folders via
programatic or automated means is not covered by Microsoft's DynaZip
license.  To use DynaZip's facilities and programatic interfaces either
directly or indirectly, a developer must have a valid, legal license to
DynaZip.  Please warn your readers that they will be exposed legally if
they intend to use the Windows XP zip folders facilities via programatic or
automated means without acquiring a license

If you need additional information regarding DynaZip Licensing, please
contact me.

Thanks,


Glen Horton
Voice: 978-448-9484 (US Eastern Time Zone)
email: mailto:gh@innermedia.com