Brand Free Licence - Prohibits saying Site is 'Powered By' Something?

[Ace]

I'm confused, slightly.

I am tossing up whether to purchase a couple of brand removal licences for my Owned licences, but just read something official from Floris, here that would appear to (if I was to place it on nzboards.com) immediately place me in violation.

Branding does NOT permit to rebrand the software. You pay for permission to remove the copyright, you're not paying to own the copyright.

Branding Free Option
This allows you to remove all vBulletin/Jelsoft branding from this vBulletin Forum installation. This refers to the copyright information in the footer only. The logo may be changed without purchasing the Branding Free license.

Note: This is in addition to the cost of the license.

Note, nothing is said here about adding 'Powered By' being prohibited.

Branding Free Option - $120 per license

All vBulletin communities must retain the vBulletin and Jelsoft copyright text at the end of every page as per the license agreement. If you would like to legally remove this branding, you can purchasing the branding free option, which costs $120 per license. This only allows you to remove the Jelsoft/vBulletin copyright information from the front end pages. Please also note this does not allow you to rebrand the software with another name.

Now, I do see the part about rebranding, but to say a Site is 'Powered by' something does not imply a brand.

So, to clarify: Can I say my site is 'Powered by Sparkle Hosting' without violating said Brand Free Licence?

[Colin F]

I'd say yes.

As long as you don't act as if anyone other then Jelsoft made the software it should be fine.

[Steve Machol]

Actually we have always disallowed 'Powered by Something Else'. This is not allowed even with the branding free option.

[JakeS]

I'd say yes.

As long as you don't act as if anyone other then Jelsoft made the software it should be fine.

Actually we have always disallowed 'Powered by Something Else'. This is not allowed even with the branding free option.

Two different answers here? Which one is correct?

Even tho I Never made the topic I'm also curious

[---MAD---]

Two different answers here? Which one is correct?

Even tho I Never made the topic I'm also curious

Both are right. You shouldnt say the forum is powered by some one else (because thats saying they own the license) but you can remove the powered by bit .

[Colin F]

Steve's counts.
I recommend you use slightly different wording, not saying 'Powered by'.

[mrwuss]

Actually we have always disallowed 'Powered by Something Else'. This is not allowed even with the branding free option.

Then I would suggest the "we" in your statement make that clear on the purchasing of the option.

It's getting rather old to read about crap after the fact.

[conqsoft]

Then I would suggest the "we" in your statement make that clear on the purchasing of the option.

It's getting rather old to read about crap after the fact.

It already says it, as quoted above:

Please also note this does not allow you to rebrand the software with another name.

[Ace]

Actually we have always disallowed 'Powered by Something Else'. This is not allowed even with the branding free option.

Thanks for clearing that up Steve.

I suggest that information be added to the licence agreement, to prevent future confusion.

[feldon23]

http://www.vbulletin.com/faqsales.php

Note also this does not allow you to rebrand the software with another name. It only allows you to remove the Jelsoft/vBulletin copyright information.

[LightSabre]

There are only 2 reasons to have branding free -
1: to promote your site better
2: better security - it's harder for the hackers to find out your vB version and to use exploits on it.

[Marco van Herwaarden]

You are already allowed to remove the version number, even without the Branding Free option.

[JakeS]

Actually we have always disallowed 'Powered by Something Else'. This is not allowed even with the branding free option.

I Have a question..

If someone who purchased brand free license wanted to add this to the bottom of there forum could they?

Hosting Powered By: Company

?

[Steve Machol]

That would be fine.

[Tanax]

I Have a question..

If someone who purchased brand free license wanted to add this to the bottom of there forum could they?

?

THat's allowed even without the branding free option..
The branding free option allows you to remove

    Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2006, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

..at the bottom, and

Powered by vBulletin

in the head( <head>Forum name - Powered by vBulletin</head>) of the site.


The version of the vBulletin you are allowed to remove WITHOUT branding free option, however, note what parts you are allowed to remove, only as long as you got the branding free option, as stated above.