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Licensing terms for nrf51 softdevices?

Angus Gratton

Hi,

I was wondering if you can please clarify the licensing terms for the nrf51 softdevices?

I found the link to the SDK license here: devzone.nordicsemi.com/.../license.txt

Which seems to say that distribution of programs compiled from the SDK as part of an end user product is included as part of the SDK license.

Are the SoftDevices considered part of the SDK, or are they licensed separately?

Specifically: If I purchase a dev kit and get the product key to download a SoftDevice, does that include permission to distribute an nrf51-based finished product with that SoftDevice flashed onto it, or does that need to be licensed separately?

Thanks very much.

Angus

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    I am not quire sure. But came to a conclusion that there is no license fee even if we distribute the product. Here is the terms of license link text

    1. Grant of License Subject to the terms in this Agreement Nordic grants Licensee a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sub licensable, revocable license ("License"): (a) to use the SDK as a development platform solely in connection with a Nordic Integrated Circuit ("nRF IC"), (b) to modify any source code contained in the SDK solely as necessary to implement products developed by Licensee that incorporate an nRF IC ("Licensee Product"), and (c) to distribute the SDK solely as implemented in Licensee Product. Licensee shall not use the SDK for any purpose other than specifically authorized herein.

    But there is also another confusing statement in the license term. 4. Distribution Restrictions Except as set forward in Section 1 above, the Licensee may not disclose or distribute any or all parts of the SDK to any third party. Licensee agrees to provide reasonable security precautions to prevent unauthorized access to or use of the SDK as proscribed herein. Licensee also agrees that use of and access to the SDK will be strictly limited to the employees and subcontractors of the Licensee necessary for the performance of development, verification and production tasks under this Agreement. The Licensee is responsible for making such employees and subcontractors agree on complying with the obligations concerning use and non-disclosure of the SDK. What I felt from this 4th point is that we cannot distribute SDK itelf or its parts. So redistribution of softdevices should not be a problem as long as it is part of the product. Anyone has any other comments?

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    I am not quire sure. But came to a conclusion that there is no license fee even if we distribute the product. Here is the terms of license link text

    1. Grant of License Subject to the terms in this Agreement Nordic grants Licensee a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sub licensable, revocable license ("License"): (a) to use the SDK as a development platform solely in connection with a Nordic Integrated Circuit ("nRF IC"), (b) to modify any source code contained in the SDK solely as necessary to implement products developed by Licensee that incorporate an nRF IC ("Licensee Product"), and (c) to distribute the SDK solely as implemented in Licensee Product. Licensee shall not use the SDK for any purpose other than specifically authorized herein.

    But there is also another confusing statement in the license term. 4. Distribution Restrictions Except as set forward in Section 1 above, the Licensee may not disclose or distribute any or all parts of the SDK to any third party. Licensee agrees to provide reasonable security precautions to prevent unauthorized access to or use of the SDK as proscribed herein. Licensee also agrees that use of and access to the SDK will be strictly limited to the employees and subcontractors of the Licensee necessary for the performance of development, verification and production tasks under this Agreement. The Licensee is responsible for making such employees and subcontractors agree on complying with the obligations concerning use and non-disclosure of the SDK. What I felt from this 4th point is that we cannot distribute SDK itelf or its parts. So redistribution of softdevices should not be a problem as long as it is part of the product. Anyone has any other comments?

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