GapiDraw 2.05 - Changes in licensing terms

[Johan]

Heya all,

First of all: There is an issue with Blt with the current 2.04 release on several devices. It was caused by "correcting" a clipping issue introduced in GapiDraw 2.03. It is recommended that you do not use CGapiSurface::Blt if you are deploying your code based on GapiDraw 2.04.

Secondly: The licensing terms in GapiDraw might change as of GapiDraw 2.05. Please remember that GapiDraw is owned and developed by a company, and not as a hobby. GapiDraw 2.05 is finally getting really stable after all the changes introduced in the 2.0 version, but it did unfortunately come at a price.

If you have questions or comments on the licensing, please direct them to the business creation manager at the Viktoria Institute Shahab Ghavami ( shahab.ghavami@viktoria.se ). I am not in the position to discuss nor comment on any licensing policies. The current discussion is that GapiDraw will use a licensing scheme similar to GapiTools (i.e. a free version with a startup-banner, and different banner-free licensing schemes depending on usage). It is also possible that GapiDraw will use licensing terms similar to FMOD, where independent developers will be able to get a significant discount. GapiDraw will also most probably be sold "per platform" similar to fmod where you license the platforms you need for your product.

GapiDraw 2.05 will be available on September 04 - both as a version that is free to use (but will come with a startup-banner), and as a commercial banner-free version.

[Preliminary change log]
------------------------------

GapiDraw 2.05 - September 04, 2003

SDK improvements
-Decreased the size of the Pocket PC and Smartphone DLLs. The GapiDraw ARM DLL is now 250kb (was 304kb).
-New function: "ChangeFPS" was added to CGapiApplication.

Bug Fixes
-Blt would previously crash with an assertion failure on some devices due to an issue introduced in GapiDraw 2.04.

SDK changes
-The licensing terms might be changed.

----

[Pejo Software - Per]

[Johan]

[artax]

[Kak]

[Johan]

Kak: Sorry for not answering earlier, but I had a bit too much work going on... No, this does not change licensing for current versions. I just sent you an email confirmation and you can release your current game anytime...

[denthorq]

Hi Johan,

I also emailed you of my new game coming last week. But I havent received your reply yet. I'm using GD 2.04 in this game.

Will the licensing affect the previous games developed using ( 1.04 and 2.0x ) ?

I dont have a company but I established a name eMobile Software for my hobby. Will you consider this as a company?

Please advise us. Thanks and more power to GD.

[fzammetti]

This is what I was concerned for a long time would happen. Figures, once I get my mind to a comfortable place, along comes the bad news (potentially bad anyway).

I guess whether it's bad or not depends on the answers to a couple of questions... Some of this has been asked and answered, but I'd like to hear it again in a single, concise post...

(1) What constitutes an individual developer? Omnytex Technologies for instance is not a legally incoprorated entity, it is just the name I release my software under. Does that qualify?

(2) This is an absolutely important point for me: Am I correct that no version of GapiDraw prior to 2.05 will have a licensing change? I.e., I can still release K&G Arcade in January using 2.04 with no strings attached (I already have your permission for this).

(3) What is the timeframe for releasing pricing details? I'm sure like everyone else currently working on something GD-based, I want to know sooner rather than later so I can make whatever decsions I may have to before being forced into them because of timing issues.

(4) I agree with PejoSoftware in that it is probably the right thing to do to put out a bug fix for 2.04. It strikes me as not very nice to say "if you want this bug fix, you have to pay". Paying to add Symbian support is perfectly fine, paying for a bunch of new features is fine, but I think it fair to fix the bugs in existing versions without a licensing change involved, at least to some extent.

I echo everyone else' thoughts that charging for GD I find reasonable, depending on the price of course, I just want to know that I'm perfectly safe from any charges if I stick with 2.04.

I'm not sure how I feel about the banner in 2.05... Part of me has no problem with it, part of me does. If that's what it will cost me in the end to use 2.05, and not actually money, I think I'd be OK with it in the end. But, do I qualify?

I just want to make sure I understand your plans very clearly so that I can make mine accordingly.

[fzammetti]

Johan, it should be pointed out that the link on the GapiDraw page says "for details, go to this PocketMatrix thread", but in this thread you say that you can't really discuss licensing issues.

Excuse me for being blunt, and I mean no offense by it, but have you guys decided what your doing yet, or is this just your way of putting out feelers?

[Johan]

[fzammetti]

[Johan]

[Kak]

[fzammetti]

[mlepage]