Fences License & Dual-Boot PC???

from Stardock Forums

I have a license-related question.  An answer shall be deeply appreciated.

Most software manufacturers allow the buyer to use a single license to install on two PCs (owned by the buyer)....such as the buyer's desktop and laptop.  (I have not been able to confirm if Stardocks embraces that same license policy? But I assume they do.)

IN ANY EVENT, if Stardocks does allow two PCs for one software license, I wonder if I will have any license issues by installing Fences on BOTH Operating Systems of one desktop PC (ie. a dual OS or dual-boot PC)...and then again on my laptop??? That would amount to THREE seperate installations on TWO PCs.  Does Stardocks count that sort of scenario as 'lawful' use of a single software license?  Or would Stardocks bar the third installation by viewing it as wrongfully using the license three times (even though only 2 PCs are involved)? 

The license issue regarding a dual-boot PC is not hypothetical or arcane.  I have confronted this issue before with other software manufacturers.  Some allow my 3 installations under the '2-PC rule'.  Others won't, holding that two allowable installations means only two installations.  Does anybody know Stardocks position?

I thank all for any forthcoming replies!

fences
5,323 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have not been able to confirm if Stardocks embraces that same license policy?
End of quote

Yes, they do.

From Stardock's standard EULA

YOU MAY:
1. Install and use one copy of the
SOFTWARE on a single computer.
2. Install a second copy of the SOFTWARE on a
second computer only if you are the main user of
this computer (home computer or laptop for
example).
3. Install the SOFTWARE on another computer only
if you change your main workstation. In such a case
you must uninstall the software from the old
computer.
4. Use the SOFTWARE via a network, only if you
have purchased an adequate number of licenses.
The number of users must not exceed the number of
licenses you have purchased.
5. Make a copy of the SOFTWARE for archival
purposes only.

 

I wonder if I will have any license issues by installing Fences on BOTH Operating Systems of one desktop PC (ie. a dual OS or dual-boot PC)...and then again on my laptop??? That would amount to THREE seperate installations on TWO PCs.
End of quote

No, on dual boot you can only run 1 OS at a time so therefore only one install of Fences can be run.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

From the E.U.L.A.:

YOU MAY:
1. Install and use one copy of the SOFTWARE on a single computer.
2. Install a second copy of the SOFTWARE on a second computer only if you are the main user of this computer (home computer or laptop for example).

For #1, there is an implied 'at one time' at the end.  Since you can't boot into both partitions at the same time, then it's not a problem.  From what you're describing, you're totally fine.  Since the computer is yours, we have no issue with your proposed usage.  Our main goal is to keep people from distributing the software to other people, installing on 20 work machines with only one license, etc...

Basically, you're good.  :thumbsup:

 

[edit: man, you're quick, Cavan1!]

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

THANK YOU, CAVAN1 & ALL!

Thank you for confirming what I had hoped is true about the use of a single license.  I could name two other software manufacturers who have a virtually identical license policy as Stardocks...but counted two software installations in one dual-OS PC as using the license twice...barring me from installing the software in my second PC (laptop).

Anyway, I thank all for their replies.

PS:  If I should discover that Stardocks does have a problem with 3 seperate installations on my two PCs, I will certainly report such soon.