Is it legal to install freeware for a service fee?
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From: PeeCee on 5 Mar 2010 22:33 "Elmo" <dcdraftworks(a)Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid> wrote in message news:hms9s6$d4i$1(a)tioat.net... > I'm thinking of starting a business installing legitimate for-personal-use > freeware for a fee - is that legal to charge a fee to install freeware? > > What I'm thinking is visiting a client and charging maybe $25 an hour to > set up their computer for whatever they need. > > For example, if they need a photo editor, I'll put Irfanview & Fastone. > If they need encryption, I'll install PGP Desktop. > If they need a PDF creator, I'll install CutePDF. > And so on. > > In addition, I'll teach them how to use the software as part of the hourly > fee. I'm thinking it would take two to three hours to set them up if I > keep > the software on a flash drive. > > Any ideas on the feasiblity of charging to install freeware? > Elmo With GPL/Open Source software there is no problem charging for Installation, Setup and Training. Non GPL but 'Free' software you will have to read each and every EULA/Terms and Conditions. Programs like Syncback for example explicitly allow usage of their 'Free' Syncback for both personal and commercial use. Other software vendors specifically disallow the use of their 'Free' products when used as part of 'any' commercial service. (I read this to mean what you propose doing is against their EULA) How you handle the latter is up to you, but it can restrict your suggested business model. There is also a problem with your idea, anyone can install freeware and installation by association carries a low intrinsic value. A more successful business strategy is to provide troubleshooting/repair and training services. Being able to come in and sort out a problem for a client is a much more valuable service. Showing a client how to use the 'Free' software 'they' installed (after you used your Flash drive copy to fix their stuffed up install) becomes a bonus after the 'real' reason for your visit. Best Paul.
From: Caesar Romano on 6 Mar 2010 07:56 On Sat, 6 Mar 2010 01:07:19 +0000 (UTC), Elmo <dcdraftworks(a)Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid> wrote Re Is it legal to install freeware for a service fee?: >I'm thinking of starting a business installing legitimate for-personal-use >freeware for a fee - is that legal to charge a fee to install freeware? > >What I'm thinking is visiting a client and charging maybe $25 an hour to >set up their computer for whatever they need. > >For example, if they need a photo editor, I'll put Irfanview & Fastone. >If they need encryption, I'll install PGP Desktop. >If they need a PDF creator, I'll install CutePDF. >And so on. > >In addition, I'll teach them how to use the software as part of the hourly >fee. I'm thinking it would take two to three hours to set them up if I keep >the software on a flash drive. > >Any ideas on the feasiblity of charging to install freeware? Yes, it's completely legal, because you are charging for your time for doing a computer set-up. You are not actually charging for the freeware. You are going to be paid by the hour regardless of whether you install 100 free-wares or 0 free-wares. -- Work is the curse of the drinking class.
From: LouB on 6 Mar 2010 08:41 HeyBub wrote: > Elmo wrote: >> I'm thinking of starting a business installing legitimate >> for-personal-use freeware for a fee - is that legal to charge a fee >> to install freeware? >> >> What I'm thinking is visiting a client and charging maybe $25 an hour >> to set up their computer for whatever they need. >> >> For example, if they need a photo editor, I'll put Irfanview & >> Fastone. >> If they need encryption, I'll install PGP Desktop. >> If they need a PDF creator, I'll install CutePDF. >> And so on. >> >> In addition, I'll teach them how to use the software as part of the >> hourly fee. I'm thinking it would take two to three hours to set them >> up if I keep the software on a flash drive. >> >> Any ideas on the feasiblity of charging to install freeware? > > You won't be doing it very long at $25/hr. > > In some places that is the going rate.
From: LouB on 6 Mar 2010 08:44 Caesar Romano wrote: > On Sat, 6 Mar 2010 01:07:19 +0000 (UTC), Elmo > <dcdraftworks(a)Use-Author-Supplied-Address.invalid> wrote Re Is it > legal to install freeware for a service fee?: > >> I'm thinking of starting a business installing legitimate for-personal-use >> freeware for a fee - is that legal to charge a fee to install freeware? >> >> What I'm thinking is visiting a client and charging maybe $25 an hour to >> set up their computer for whatever they need. >> >> For example, if they need a photo editor, I'll put Irfanview & Fastone. >> If they need encryption, I'll install PGP Desktop. >> If they need a PDF creator, I'll install CutePDF. >> And so on. >> >> In addition, I'll teach them how to use the software as part of the hourly >> fee. I'm thinking it would take two to three hours to set them up if I keep >> the software on a flash drive. >> >> Any ideas on the feasiblity of charging to install freeware? > > Yes, it's completely legal, because you are charging for your time for > doing a computer set-up. You are not actually charging for the > freeware. You are going to be paid by the hour regardless of whether > you install 100 free-wares or 0 free-wares. Exactly
From: Kurt ScrewuDato on 6 Mar 2010 09:00 On Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:10:02 -0800, Craig wrote: > On 03/05/2010 05:07 PM, Elmo wrote: >> I'm thinking of starting a business installing legitimate for-personal-use >> freeware for a fee - is that legal to charge a fee to install freeware? >> > ... >> Any ideas on the feasiblity of charging to install freeware? > > If I were you, I'd read the licenses for each. If I werer you, I'd contact the freeware author and get in writing his permission. But that'a just me and I an *not* a $Pricelessware$ thief. -- I am running for President - http://www.partyoflogic.com/
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