NeoOffice ripoff?

vdubeau · Blue Pill Joined: Aug 15, 2007 Posts: 1

I think you should check out this site that I came across via a Mac news site.

http://www.macofficepro.com/

Looks like NeoOffice to me.

pluby · The Architect Joined: Jun 16, 2003 Posts: 11949

Yes, they clearly use the NeoOffice code. However, since they are not using the NeoOffice trademark, they are allowed to make their own derivative product. This is what the GPL license is all about: the free to modify and redistribute the code.

Our only issue is when you use our trademark. In the MacOffice case, they are clearly using a different name and providing their own support. That is OK.

What is not clear is where we can get their source code. The GPL requires that the source code be made available yet I see no obvious links. As long as they make the source code available under the GPL license, they are doing nothing wrong.

Patrick

Samwise · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:33 pm Post subject:

I haven't browsed their site extensively, but I wonder whether they change anything to the NeoOffice source (except the name etc.) ?

We are making the source available in the disk images, and they are dsitrubting on CD, so isn't including the source on the CD good enough for the GPL ?

Also, it looks like they're including the OxygenOffice extensionsâ€¦

pluby · The Architect Joined: Jun 16, 2003 Posts: 11949

OPENSTEP · Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject:

In other words, the source that is in our disk images will build our software but does not contain all necessary changes. Redistributing the source code we provide is insufficient to meet GPL requirements as modifications are required for rebranding.

ed

Waldo · Oracle Joined: Dec 03, 2004 Posts: 239

astopy · Blue Pill Joined: Aug 16, 2007 Posts: 3 Location: UK

vicjoe · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 3:27 pm Post subject: They won't last long

At $47.95 (introductory, $79.95 regular) a pop and being wholly derivative of the NeoOffice work, they won't last long. Inevitably word will get around that they can't offer knowledgeable tech support ('cause they have to wait for the people at NeoOffice doing the real work to uncover and fix bugs) and their product always lags behind the real NeoOffice, and they will fade away, with their sucker customers coming to the NeoOffice pages to look for support. Surely there must be a way to make the incremental patch updates written in such a way that there is no source code released (ever) prior to the NeoOffice patch compiled as a binary for Neo only, such that they cannot be decompiled, rejigged and applied to this technically legal but of-dubious-integrity rip-off.

I'd also suggest that disaffected MacOffice buyers be given the opportunity (upon providing proof) for a complementary limited period to the NeoOffice early release program. What Ed and Patrick lose in funds from doing this they make up for in the longer run in loyalty, credibility and donations down the line.

Whoa, what's going on here? I clicked on "Submit" and was taken to another window that still has my draft showing, not even a preview. Trying again...

OPENSTEP · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:27 am Post subject:

There is already a system in place that ensures the patches we provide only can be applied to the release binaries we produce. Our patches are only compatible with our binaries and our build environments; anyone providing a separate distribution or building their own needs to provide their own updated binaries that match their own source modifications and build environments.

While I don't know the specifics, that company does have a toll-free support number where you can call up and talk to a real person. We definitely do not provide that kind of support service and don't have the resources (or patience!) do to it. There are people who are willing to pay for the ability to call a real human support staff. Some IT managers actually require that level of support service availability before they will even consider deploying software.

ed