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

[Hung Bui]

Hi Angus and all,

The softdevice has its own license (see *_licence_agreement.pdf in the softdevice's .zip file or in \doc folder in the SDK) and is not considered as part of the SDK.

With our license, you are free to:

(a) to use the SoftDevice solely in connection with a Nordic integrated circuit, and (b) to distribute the SoftDevice solely as integrated in Licensee Product.

Currently the license of the SDK and the Softdevice won't allow you to re-distribute the SDK or the softdevice. When you want to redistribute the source code of the SDK or the hex file of the softdevice, our suggestion is to let the end customer to download the material from our website directly ( you can create a script to do that)

It's allowed to redistribute the softdevice as part of the DFU package .zip file as long as the zip file is used to flash on Nodic's chip.

We will update the license(s) to give more flexibility for re-distribution.