MySQL Forums - Licensing

Do we need license for mysql, which is used internally by Birt (no replies)

Manjunath chennannavar — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:10:46 +0000

We are assessing birt for our application which will be selled to customers.
Can we use eclipse Birt for our enterprise application?
Birt uses mysql internally which has to be inside our application war. Can we do this without mysql license?

selling software (no replies)

ernesto giorgi — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:25:57 +0000

I am developing some software. When distributing apps at a charge, should I pay for the use of MySql?

License for schoolproject? (1 reply)

Marco Marco — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:37:38 +0000

Hello,
I've read most topics here and I have to say that they are vague,
especially for non native english speakers.

This is my question.
for my thesis I will be writing a .net application that communicates with a database.
most of my fellow students will be using a MS SQL database but in my case that is not an option.
instead I wanted to use the MySql database that is installed on the server of my web hosting provider and then connect to it using the .net connector

the program will be used by my father in law and his employees that work from home and need to be able to access the database via the internet.
Because this is a school project I'm not charging any development or any other costs at all.
but I do want to keep the source closed

do I need to buy a license?
I've read the FOSS License exception but I can't figure it out

summary:
1. Free Program
2. Closed Source
3. distributed within a Small company ( 4 to 5 employees)
4. MySql runs on the Server of my Paid Webhosting provider and will not be installed on any machine
5. I will only use the .net connector to connect to the database and run queries

I'm looking for a simple Yes or No :(

English is not my native language so please forgive any errors or mistakes.

thanks in advance.
Marco

GA and embedded software? (1 reply)

Matt Ritchie — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 18:36:58 +0000

Hello,
I was wondering if the GA releases of MYSQL include the embedded server?
Can I use it in OpenSource ( probably BSD-Licensed or Apple Public License, not GPL) projects, or do I have to purchase the embedded server to do that?
I have been looking at embedded databases for a while and determined MYSQL's embedded version is the most likely one I'd use.
Thank you for your time in answering my reply
Marz

WampServer breaking GPL? (1 reply)

Per Persson — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 21:41:47 +0000

WampServer is a package distributing Apache, MySQL and PHP for Windows.
MySQL is licensed under GPL v2, which says that the source code must be provided in one of three ways:

"3. You may copy and distribute the Program (or a work based on it, under Section 2) in object code or executable form under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above provided that you also do one of the following:
a) Accompany it with the complete corresponding machine-readable source code, which must be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
b) Accompany it with a written offer, valid for at least three years, to give any third party, for a charge no more than your cost of physically performing source distribution, a complete machine-readable copy of the corresponding source code, to be distributed under the terms of Sections 1 and 2 above on a medium customarily used for software interchange; or,
c) Accompany it with the information you received as to the offer to distribute corresponding source code. (This alternative is allowed only for noncommercial distribution and only if you received the program in object code or executable form with such an offer, in accord with Subsection b above.)"

As far as I can see, WampServer isn't providing the source code om MySQL in any of these three ways. Thus, WampServer seems not to comply with the license they have to follow to distribute MySQL.

Annual subscription for enterprise edition (1 reply)

velin ren — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:08:34 +0000

Thinking of buying MySQL Enterprise edition. My question is Will i still be able to use the features provided only in commercial edition if i do not pay the annual fee the following years?

I am not sure if i need to buy licensing... (3 replies)

Pascal Lachance — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 21:47:57 +0000

Hi,

I am developping a software for a company but after reading about licensing im not sure if i have to buy MySQL license!

The software is not distributed, just used by my client. It does not modify MySQL in any way. They will just install MySQL server and my software will connect to it and perform SQL operations on tables.

Do they need to buy a license?

thanks

Is a License for libmysql.dll needed ...? (no replies)

Andreas Grotz — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:44:06 +0000

Hello there,

we are planing to use a third party database-connector for mysql.
the connector is using libmysql.dll and our application is a commercial app.

Do we need a license for using this client lib ?!

Thanks Andy.

Which type of licence I need to choose? (no replies)

Wojciech Wasik — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:07:39 +0000

Hello
I'm developing application using mysql and php which will be used to gather and store data from sensors in database. The computer with software is a part of commercial product that we make for customer in his facility, so we will provide him a hardware with installed application.
In that case I suppose I need to buy an licence for mysql?

commercial use of community edition (no replies)

Thomas Zimniewicz — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 19:29:47 +0000

It is permitted to use the community edition on the server side of a commercial web application? Or are you required to use the standard edition and pay the annual fee?

TomZ

Do I need to buy a license? (no replies)

Petr Andrlik — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:11:56 +0000

Hello,
i am working on my final year project and I'm bit confused about Mysql licenses.

This is the problem i'm working on:
I have to find a solution for a company to collect and store some data from its production. Database and application that will connect to DB will be used only in this company and will never go public.

So is it possible to use MySQL Community Server under a GPL license or do I need to buy a commercial licence??

Best regards
Petr

Licence for internal firm use (2 replies)

smith john — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:59:05 +0000

Hi Guys at first sorry for my English:)

I want to write a small application witch will be using MYSQL community server and VB.net connector.
Aplication will be used only in His firm and not sold to anyone.

Does Hi or me have to pay any licence fees?

I have readed MYSQL licence and it says about copying, distribution and modification but not much about using, server sockets or user acces limitations like mssql CALS. It says "to make sure the software is free for all its users" but for busines (firms) users too?

Thank You for any Help.

What license? (1 reply)

Bruno Santos — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:18:37 +0000

Hello guys, I have a question:

I want to create a free application (it can be a site or a desktop application), that just connects to mysql database in a web server (any shared host) to stores its data. Do I need to buy a license or publish my source code? Or can I do that without releasing my source code and not buying a license?

Thanks for your time,

Bruno

Which license do I need? (1 reply)

Dev NeoSoft — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:16:31 +0000

I have plan to develop some application.
The application will run with mysql server on local PC.
In most case mysql server connected with just one client(my application).
sometimes it will be connected with two clients.
Which license do I need when I distribute my application with mysql server?

Licensing of commercial products using MySQL (1 reply)

Deepak Vasudevan — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 06:04:55 +0000

We are currently using SQLServer to host and manage our databases. We are seriously contemplating on expanding into MySQL horizon. In this aspect we have the following query:

1) MySQL is an opensource database. How would our commercial software will work open source, without conflict?

Can some one help clarify on the same please?

Licensing for an internal usage (2 replies)

Dipjyoti Bharali — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:21:00 +0000

Hi,
This is regarding, whether i can use the free community edition of mysql for internal usage in my business. Iam not using it for any commercial purpose or distributing it to my clients. I just want to run a simple bugzilla server with mysql as backend... Please reply.... Purely internal with no web access.

DJ

Connector at new license constuction. (no replies)

Zsolt Kendi — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:28:14 +0000

As far as I heard connector has new licensing construction.

The free version is become GPL, the LGPL is gone and born a new commercial license. In this situation more important questions are:

1). I can use commercial licensed connector with GPL server or standard server with GPL connector? This is question of derived work...

2). If I (or my customer) buy a standard server then they got commercial or GPL licensed connector? If the 2nd how to buy commercial connector license for?

3). What is the license situation for community developed drivers (eg. perl, python...)? If the connector is commercial then the drivers become other license?

License reseller (1 reply)

Colette Munnelly — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:18:20 +0000

Hi Guys,
Probably not the best place to ask this but is there such thing as a MySQL Enterprise License reseller? Can I buy licences through another vendor?
Cheers.

OpenOffice, MySql, JDBC (1 reply)

Peter Dines — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:56:10 +0000

I want to create a custom solution for a client using MySQL for storage and OpenOffice to enter data and print reports. Connection will be through JDBC or the native MySQL connector for OpenOffice. Do I need to get a MySQL license for this, or GPL the database schema and the OpenOffice Base document used for data entry?

OEM License for Trial Version of an Application (no replies)

Anil Sharma — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 18:04:38 +0000

Hello There,

MySQL commercial OEM license model is out dated and hurts ISV
and MySQL both. Say, I have built a software that uses MySQL. This is the
great next thing but not proven yet to be so. It is imperative that my
customers will ask me if I can provide an evaluation copy of the software.

To make evaluation successful, I want to provide a seamless installation
package that will get the customer up and running quickly. This is where
the problem starts. I cannot make it smooth unless I package MySQL with my
installation. I will certainly get cold soldiers if I ask my customer to
download MySQL separately, install two packages (my application + MySQL),
go thru few configuration steps.

The end result, neither I win a customer
nor MySQL. Instead if the evaluation would have gone thru, the customer
might have purchased a license of the application and MySQL along with it.

By not enabling a free option for OEM trial, MySQL is hurting itself and
ISVs. Will you consider providing an OEM license that is free but can be
used for a limited time? Since providing evaluation of the software is
almost given, there has to be a way to make it possible. Is this not ISV
and MySQL partnership all about?

Query on MySQL License. (no replies)

sachin tripathi — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:59:22 +0000

Hello

I have dowloaded the "MySQL Enterprise Trial " for 30 days.

I want to know, if I get the license after 30 days, do I need to re-install the MySQL ? Or I can convert my trial subscription to license subscription ?
If yes , then what procedure do I need to follow ?

Also, will MySQL server stopped working after 30 days, if we don't provide the License ? i.e. what will happen after 30 days in absense of license.

regards
Sachin

Licensing in a closed-source Project (1 reply)

Patrick S. — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 09:03:56 +0000

Hello,

i've read here a lot about licensing in MySQL but i get confused with each new topic i read :-)

So, i make two applications, one server-app and one client-app. The Server-App is connected to a MySQL Database (my favorite connector is the .NET connector). The Server-App and the DB are on my own servers on the internet. The Client-App is completely free to download, only a "premium-access-account" would costs something for a user. All Applications in here are closed-source, so, do i need a license for mySQL-Server? Or only for the .NET Connector? What's if i use another 3rd party connector?

For better understanding, here a little sketch from the Server/Client Architecture

[DB-SRV]<----.NET-Connector---->[Server-App]<--------WWW--------->[Client-App]

Can somebody help me there and tell me, if i need a license and if yes, which?

Many thanks :-)

LGPL app uses MySQL (no replies)

Jarek Wozniak — Wed, 27 May 2009 10:43:01 +0000

Hi all,

I have been reading many threads about any restrictions to use MySQL database and I am very concerned about it. There are so many licences and cases to mix it... I have become very confused.

1. I read if an app that is under GPL there are no restrictions to use MySQL. Could anybody confirm that?

2. I want to use one of ETL software under LGPL. Does a customer need a commercial license to use MySQL?

Thanks for any answers,
Jarek

"Commercial" usage of C++ connector (1 reply)

Wizard of Oz — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:14:39 +0000

Hello,

I hope that I am posting this in the correct forum since it's a licensing question. I already called the MySQL sales department to get my question answered, without success.

Basically, we have a commercial, closed-source application that write information to a MySQL database (among others).

We are currently using ODBC to write to the destination database, but would like to switch to the native API of each vendor. The MySQL Connector sounds like the best fit for us, but I am concerned that we are not allowed to use it since our application is not GPL.

Can somebody clarify as to whether we can link a static Connector C++ library to our application, or do we have to license it?

If not, then would a dynamic library be ok?

Thank you,
Ingmar.

Unclear as to how much of MySQL Enterprise is Open Source Software (5 replies)

Jay Stevans — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:49:58 +0000

Hello,

I'm definitely a newbie. In fact I'm trying to make a decision about using MySQL.

I have read through a great deal of the Sun/MySQL site before asking these (trying to be a responsible and well-behaved newbie). If I missed the obvious please forgive.

I know the MySQL Community version is pure Open Source Software (OSS) and that it is licensed under the GPL. I also understand that Sun offers four versions of the MySQL Enterprise product.

With that preamble, here are my questions.

Question 1 - Are the four fee-paid versions of MySQL Enterprise also completely OSS?

I think they are not because the three priciest ones each offer functions (plus support services, of course) that are explicitly NOT in the MySQL Community version.

Question 2 - What is the functional difference between the MySQL Community version and the MySQL Enterprise Pro and MySQL Enterprise Advanced products? Is it just the features shown in this table (http://globalspecials.sun.com/store/mysql/ContentTheme/pbPage.categoryEnterprise) or are there more fundamental differences in the server software itself?

Question 3 - are the license agreements identical for each of the four MySQL Enterprise versions?

Question 4 - Where can I see the license agreements for MySQL Enterprise?

Question 5 - If I use the MySQL Community version am I allowed to run a commercial business with it? And does this include offering SaaS or other on-line services?

Thanks in advance for your assistance. Please feel free to just steer me to some links if they answer the questions.

Jay

Closed source and licensing (7 replies)

Paolo Ucchino — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 00:25:12 +0000

Hi

My question is the following...

I sell a closed source product and i NOT give support for mysql. End user can customize some configuration file to choose what database server use

Who must pay for licensing?

Really thanx

best regards

MySQL Commercial License for OEMs, ISVs and VARs (no replies)

Edwin DeSouza — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 16:45:38 +0000

Legal:
http://www.mysql.com/company/legal/

FOSS License Exception (includes FAQ)
http://www.mysql.com/about/legal/licensing/foss-exception/

Free Software Foundation - GPLv2:
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html

Free Software Foundation - GPLv2 FAQ:
http://www.fsf.org/licensing/licenses/gpl-faq.html

Software Freedom Law Center - "A Practical Guide to GPL Compliance":
http://www.softwarefreedom.org/resources/2008/compliance-guide.html

Commercial License for OEMs, ISVs and VARs (includes FAQ)
http://www.mysql.com/about/legal/licensing/oem/

MySQL OEM Sales Team (to discuss your licensing or pricing questions):
http://www.mysql.com/about/contact/

Licensing for an embedded system. (1 reply)

Michael Davis — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:48:37 +0000

Ok there is a lot of confusion about the licensing issues with MySQL. I have an idea of what I believe the answer to be and I would like to check.
My employer is creating a product that has a MySQL server backbone, and many clients. So my thoughts on it are as follows.

For the server we are using a base unchanged MySQL server. We have no problem distributing the source for it, so it will be licensed under the GPL.

For the clients we have two choices. If we use the MySQL APIS they are dual licensed so if we don't want to use the GPL we must buy a license from MySQL.
If we use a standard non GPL ODBC license we are not restricted under the GPL and can distrubute it without distributing the source even through it connects to a GPL database.

Am I getting the understanding of this correct?
Thank you for your time.

distribution within a GPL software package (no replies)

Jaemin Kim — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:33:10 +0000

Hi

I have an Open source program (also GPL)developed for research and education at the University. this software runs with MySQL server which store the database.

I want to distrubte this software via my research unit Website.
I have made a installation package in which the database and the software is included. Is it illegal if the Mysql server is also included in the installation package?

this is simply for users convenience. many people are having difficulty in installing the packages seperately.

thanks in advance

min

Does this conform to the GPL? (2 replies)

Joanna Sharman — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:40:01 +0000

Hi,

I hope you can help me with a couple of questions to do with the GPL for MySQL.

First I'll describe what I'm trying to and what I think is the situation after reading the GPL and many forums, I hope I have got this right, please correct me.

I have developed a Java application which uses data stored in a MySQL database on my group's server. The application uses the MySQL connector/J driver to connect. I know that this is available to use under the GPL. I want to make my application available to the public over the web, preferably as a Java Web Start program. I would like to include the driver within the application Jar.

My understanding of the GPL is that it is fine to use the MySQL connector/J driver as long as a) I'm not distributing it and b) my program is open source and also GPL.

My questions are:
1. If my program works as a Java Web Start program (downloading the Jar containing the driver onto the user's computer when they start it up) is this considered 'distributing' the driver and does it therefore require my application to conform to the GPL?

2. Would the above be true if I instead make my program available as an applet?

3. I don't want to make the source code of my application available, I only want it to run over the web, so am I allowed to do this under the GPL or without having a licence, and still connect to GPL components (MySQL and driver)?

Thanks in advance for your answer.
Joanna