Am I wrong for using "home or non-commercial use only" software? | Gen-Tech | Forums

Hey Ashraf!

Well, considering the little $$ you make, maybe you could refer to this as a……..

NON-PROFIT  organization!!

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But seriously, you could look into how to do that &/or separate certain business enterprises you have from the more non-commercial ones. Maybe someone here who has some insight into this, or a tax adviser, could give you advice on that.

For free reference material, the IRS website has down-loadable documents on these subjects, as well as a toll-free phone # to talk directly with them. Despite rumors to the contrary, they are usually quite helpful & friendly IMHO, & could also direct you to more detailed info. Below is just one link:

"Welcome to the forms and publications resource page, the official source of IRS tax products. The links below provide methods to access and acquire both electronic and print media."

http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/index.html

Al

OK, as soon as I got done with posting my heart-felt apology, I see that all's better now.

Oh well, still learnin'.

@ Ashraf: Interesting dilemma – and one I wouldn't have thought of until you mentioned it. I imagine most tech blog writers would be in the same boat. I've done some searching online about it and came across at least one site that might be worth searching through for information about this. It's called Jurisdynamics … "Dedicated to the subjects and methodological tools that most vividly depict the law's interaction with societal and technological change." It's at http://jurisdynamics.blogspot.com/

From what I've seen thus far, I think the use of such software would come under the "appropriate use" category – 0r definitions thereof. But I may be way off base here …

Seems like a real grey area, although I'm sure there must be legal precedent somewhere … I'll keep my eye out for something. And hopefully there are some legal professionals who are members of dotTech who can give some solid advice.

@Ashraf – My non-legal opinion is that your use of the "personal or non-commercial" software is ok. And I think that lots of the developers/companies that you get software from know what you are using the software for (personal and evaluating it for dotTech). I think if those companies thought you were violating the non-commercial use policy they would stop providing the software to you.

@ Ashraf:

Let me address your question from this angle

Consider your computer a vehicle, if you use your vehicle for personal use and then sometimes deliver pizza part-time, you do not have to buy commercial ins. since pizza delivery is not the main use of your vehicle.

You have stated that dot Tech is a hobby, a hobby is not defined as a money making venture, even though sometimes there is financial gain from a hobby.

IMO I do not see a problem.

BTW, I like this site

Ebony

karen said:

@Ashraf – My non-legal opinion is that your use of the "personal or non-commercial" software is ok. And I think that lots of the developers/companies that you get software from know what you are using the software for (personal and evaluating it for dotTech). I think if those companies thought you were violating the non-commercial use policy they would stop providing the software to you.

I believe that's a good way to see it; any company can plainly see the intent & purpose here, & compare it to other program reviews/forum sites. If you owned a company, wouldn't you look to here 1st, over a site (like GOTD?)

 What good would it do to put out your products to any site (oh, say, like….. GOTD)  that spends less time & effort with helpful commenting & focusing on the program being reviewed, as they do picking at & bashing each other?

I must say I'm grateful to GOTD; for one thing, it brought me to here!