[snip]
> Knowing all this, what do we need to purchase, what can we do and what
> can't we do? It's hard getting a straight answer from anyone that is
why
> I am here. If we can't do it, we won't. If we can save our customers
> some money while getting them really good options and software, we
would
> like to do that. But on the same token, we don't to do anything unfair
> or illegal.
===================================================================
Here is the PostgreSQL license:
http://www.postgresql.org/about/licence
===================================================================
It says:
"PostgreSQL is released under the BSD license.
PostgreSQL Database Management System
(formerly known as Postgres, then as Postgres95)
Portions Copyright (c) 1996-2005, The PostgreSQL Global Development
Group
Portions Copyright (c) 1994, The Regents of the University of California
Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its
documentation for any purpose, without fee, and without a written
agreement is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice
and this paragraph and the following two paragraphs appear in all
copies.
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY
FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS
DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN ADVISED OF
THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY
AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE SOFTWARE PROVIDED HEREUNDER IS
ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA HAS NO OBLIGATIONS
TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR
MODIFICATIONS."
===================================================================
It means you have the following requirement (my description of it):
You tell people you used it.
===================================================================
There are no fees.
You can modify the software. You can keep your changes or contribute
them back (it is smart to contribute them back, because you get free
maintenance that way!)
Simply put, the BSD license is the most open, user and business
friendly, and flexible license in the world.
It is having your cake and eating it too.
You have stumbled upon the most feature rich, freely available
magnificent open source database on earth.
Congratulations!