Where do I stand legally?

[jontait]

If I was to develop a spreadsheet using MS Excel 97 containing macros
buttons, IF statements etc that I thought may be of use to companie
and subsequently wanted to sell that spreadsheet to them, where would
stand legally?

Obviously the development and structure of the spreadsheet would b
mine, but the underlying software would belong to MS.

Has anyone had any experience with this? I've e-mailed MS about it bu
I don't expect an answer soon (my e-mail would be a small fish in a bi
pond)

Any help much appreciated

Jon Tai

 

[Frank Kabel]

Hi
as long as your end users have a registered copy of Excel no problem
with developing Excel solutions and selling them.
Note: You only are allowed to provide your Excel-Sheet (or your
Add-ins, etc.); you're not allowed to ship the Excel program with it

 

[AlfD]

Jon

You might need to think about a form of contract - especially if ther
is a local government involvement.

Al

 

[AlfD]

Jon

You might need to think about a form of contract

Al

 

[Harald Staff]

If I was to develop a spreadsheet using MS Excel 97 containing macros,
buttons, IF statements etc that I thought may be of use to companies
and subsequently wanted to sell that spreadsheet to them, where would I
stand legally?

Obviously the development and structure of the spreadsheet would be
mine, but the underlying software would belong to MS.

Hi Jon

As Frank said, the underlying platform (Excel) is already paid for by you
and by the Excel user. You can sell your spreadsheet solutions without
paying anything to anyone.

But unlike other intellectual property, software belongs by default to the
one that pays for its development, not to the author. What I do for my
employer here belongs entirely to my employer if I leave the company. So to
own your solution, you must write it on your own time on your own equipment.

HTH. Best wishes Harald

 

[Don Guillett]

I've been doing it for years and MS hasn't sent me to jail, yet.
Seriously, If you develop a workbook you can sell it to whoever will buy.
But, hard to protect.

 

[jontait]

Thanks to you all for your help, lifted a little weight from m
shoulders.

We don't intend to supply the Excel package just the *.xls file as
template for use with MS Excel 97.

If any of you have sample licences you've drawn up for such a
eventuality then I'd love to see a copy.

Thanks again for your help, much appreciated