How much to charge for Licenses for my APP 4

[x508]

HI.

Can you share with me some opinions on how to figure out a client license scheme that will be worth it to me, and yet not hurt/dicourage my client.

It goes like this.

I designed an application for my client according to all his needs (i.e. "Custom Made&quot

When we first discussed the projects, he told me that he would need this for hes business. I charged him R3000 (SA Rand) for this app and he was happy with the price.

He now wants to know how he will work if he wants to give the app to hes "other" branches, which I did not know about.

I told him we could speak about the licensing and he became very upset because he says he has "Bought" the program, and he can do with it whatever he wants.

I tried explaining to him about client licenses and he was not very happy.

How much can I charge him for licenses for this software for hes other branches (I don't want to charge him too much, but I also don't want to be done in)

Any ideas?

**********************************
May the Code Be With You...
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x50-8 (X Fifty Eigt)

 

[x508]

Wayne...

You make me feel just as guilty as the client...
I am not trying to cash in, infact I protect all my software with a licensing system, ALWAYS!!!

The original agreement between us went like this.(In short)

Client:

I have a problem...I need someone to sit in my office and manage all my units, do cashups, receive money etc. At the end of the day I would like to see reports on how my units did, growth rates over months, years etc. I am currently doing this myself on Excel and I do not trust someone else to do it in excel, for they can easily cook it.

Me:

No no no SIR, this is no problem bla bla blabla bla bla...
I can solve your problem by creating a solution for you. Best of all, I will create this solution according to your needs, i.e you can specify what you would like to do in this app.

We talked about a price, he agreed and I made the software.

The only reason why the software is not license protected at this time, is because it is a BETA copy (I gave him a month grace period, to request changes, work out bugs etc. before he gives me all my money)

The final softwre will be protected.


**********************************
May the Code Be With You...
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x50-8 (X Fifty Eigt)

 

[strongm]

Sure - but your signed agreement with him makes no mention of licences or one-offs. I know I'm sounding negative, but as I said earlier, and as others have said, it looks pretty much like your client has bought the application as a whole, IP rights, redistribution, etc.

Unless you can demonstrate (prefereably through signed contract or other documentation) that the client both knew up front that this was a per seat licencing deal, and that the client agreed to those terms then I'm afraid that the law would seem to be on his side.

 

[xbafge]

Don't authors get an automatic copyright on thier work?

 

[strongm]

No, not always. In the US it depends on a concept known as "Works made for hire" under which the person/organization doing the 'hiring' is considered the 'author' (rather than the person actually creating the work) and thus the copyright owner

 

[ZOR]

Its made me very greatful reading all this, just sorry for x508. Only hope there are bugs in the Beta copy, otherwise who knows how many copies the client has made so far. Thanks strongm, I will look at that thread reference. Must also look to see if any licence templates exist out there, although I would have thought them only loosely written, real ones being via a solicitor. Just hope x508 manages something out of a very sticky issue. Thanks again

 

[BiggerBrother]

x508:

Why don't you, if you haven't already given him the software, ask him for his company logo, or just acquire it. Then make it the background of the welcome splash or an mdi form. Also, in the about help screen, write the company you are selling it to in hard code.

When he comes to selling it to other companies, who is going to want someone elses advertising on their computer.

Also, make sure when you invoice the client, you always invoice for a license, or complete software project. Don't invoice for "hours spent to edit bugs" or "time spent to write additional functions". You can invoice for "Additional Upgrades", and make sure you keep a written copy of the code, preferably in a sealed, post office time staped envelope.

You can never be too careful - clients are only ever after one thing - AS MUCH AS THEY CAN GET, FOR AS LITTLE AS THEY HAVE TO PAY!

bb

 

[rdroske]

Without a written agreement specifying that he was buying a license to install this software on one machine I think he is correct to feel that he owns the application and can now sell or give it to whoever he wants.

Did you deliver the source along with the executable?

 

[x508]

No, no source.

BUT.

Everybody....you can RELAX NOW. The situation has been resolved.

I have done business with this client more than once, PC repairs, upgrades, made a website(

http://www.ioannisint.com)

etc.

It seems that this guy merely wanted to give hes brother (just under MD of big company) a copy of the software in order to sell it to the big company...

Luckily, he "always" has had the idea to include me in the deal, as he does not really know anything about computer programs and deals. We are now in process of negotiating the terms.

I think that may guardian angel might have helped me out on this one.

I have now learned from my mistakes and your knowledge.

Thanks to all.

P.S.

I'm gonna bother you witht his thing again you konw...
To negotiate the propper terms with the Big Company

**********************************
May the Code Be With You...
----------
x50-8 (X Fifty Eigt)

 

[pdddms]

You should investigate the theory of PRODUCT ACTIVATION such as Microsoft's new antiPiracy Initiative. It utilizes product Keys and Other information to validate licsences via HTTP. I downloaded som egood source from PSCODE.com just search for PRODUCT ACTIVATION

LoL Concepts®

http://www.lolconcepts.com