4 ms·

What if JetBrains goes out of business?

by _zzaw 5y ago

function_seven 5y ago
Best case scenario, all users get a license to the current version. Worst case scenario, they get a license to whatever version was released a year prior.
jchw 5y ago
For any software that has anything resembling DRM, which is a vast majority of software, once the company goes out of business, there’s no way to activate it. (Unless they address the conundrum before taking down the activation servers, of course.) This isn’t really a downside of the licensing scheme itself, though. If it was DRM free and on the honor system, it would not have this drawback. Of course, it’s currently unclear if a software development tool can remain relevant for many years after it is effectively unmaintained, so maybe this isn’t that interesting of a question.
- qw 5y ago
  Jetbrains support offline activation, using a key. I don't know if it has an expiration date, but it could be a solution.
- bogwog 5y ago
  On the other hand, no DRM is immune to being cracked. > Of course, it’s currently unclear if a software development tool can remain relevant for many years after it is effectively unmaintained, so maybe this isn’t that interesting of a question. I wonder if there has ever been a company that pledged to release the source code of their software in the case of bankruptcy, e.g. as part of the purchase/license agreement so that if the company is bought in a bankruptcy auction, the new owners can't change their minds. Although I guess in that case, the incentive to pirate the software goes up lol
jll29 5y ago
I recommend companies add a clause to their licenses that if they go out of business or get acquired with the consequence that the product line gets discontinued, the product becomes open source automatically. That also takes out a lot of risk for bigger companies doing business with startups.
- lozenge 5y ago
  The end user doesn't have the copyright to the source therefore they are unable to relicense it. The only person that can make it open source is the acquiring company. The acquiring company might not have signed the EULA, or they could just negotiate an amendment with their new acquiree that removes the clause.
- pjerem 5y ago
  I’m not sure a company can be liable about something written in a licence if they go out of business. At least it could be seen as a sign of goodwill.

What if JetBrains goes out of business?

by _zzaw 5y ago

What if JetBrains goes out of business?

Best case scenario, all users get a license to the current version. Worst case scenario, they get a license to whatever version was released a year prior.

jchw 5y ago

For any software that has anything resembling DRM, which is a vast majority of software, once the company goes out of business, there’s no way to activate it. (Unless they address the conundrum before taking down the activation servers, of course.) This isn’t really a downside of the licensing scheme itself, though. If it was DRM free and on the honor system, it would not have this drawback. Of course, it’s currently unclear if a software development tool can remain relevant for many years after it is effectively unmaintained, so maybe this isn’t that interesting of a question.

qw 5y ago
Jetbrains support offline activation, using a key. I don't know if it has an expiration date, but it could be a solution.
bogwog 5y ago
On the other hand, no DRM is immune to being cracked. > Of course, it’s currently unclear if a software development tool can remain relevant for many years after it is effectively unmaintained, so maybe this isn’t that interesting of a question. I wonder if there has ever been a company that pledged to release the source code of their software in the case of bankruptcy, e.g. as part of the purchase/license agreement so that if the company is bought in a bankruptcy auction, the new owners can't change their minds. Although I guess in that case, the incentive to pirate the software goes up lol

jll29 5y ago

I recommend companies add a clause to their licenses that if they go out of business or get acquired with the consequence that the product line gets discontinued, the product becomes open source automatically. That also takes out a lot of risk for bigger companies doing business with startups.

lozenge 5y ago
The end user doesn't have the copyright to the source therefore they are unable to relicense it. The only person that can make it open source is the acquiring company. The acquiring company might not have signed the EULA, or they could just negotiate an amendment with their new acquiree that removes the clause.
pjerem 5y ago
I’m not sure a company can be liable about something written in a licence if they go out of business. At least it could be seen as a sign of goodwill.