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

[angel_bc_1999]

Angus, did you get any updates from Nordic? I'm having the same question too.

[Angus Gratton]

No, unfortunately I never got a reply or found anything else out.

[Snakari]

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?

[donbluetooth]

Hello,

I am also interested in getting a clear answer from Nordic. I am having trouble understanding what is required of me when I sell my BLE product. Are additional licenses/payments required to distribute a SoftDevice as part of my product? Or is the only requirement that the firmware isn't purposefully exposed to third parties?

Thanks for any advice!

[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.