Hello,
I want to use SQL Server Express 2005 as the database server for a commercial web site. Web site users will have both anonymous and non-anonymous access to web pages on the site (generated from data in the SQL Server Express database).
Is this kind of use within the EULA of SQL Server Express 2005?
I notice the EULA includes the following line in section 4 (you may not):
* use the software for commercial software hosting services.
It sounds like it might exclude using SQL Server Express as described above. Anyone know the intention of this clause?
That clause is being removed from the SP1 license so you can safely ignore it. SQL Server Express can be used in software hosting services. As long as your needs don't exceed the limitations on Express, you should be good to go.
Regards,
Mike Wachal
SQL Express team
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Thank you, this was the only thing preventing me from choosing SQL Server for this project.
When in SP1 due?
So, you are saying that you CAN provide commercial hosting services using SQL Server 2005 Express.
i.e. you can use it to provide databases to paying clients on a shared hosting platform?
Does this include shared hosting environments? In others words, when SP1 is released with will we be able to use SQL Express in shared hosting environments?
Thanks,
Todd
I want to create a commercial web application using Visual Web Developer and Visual C# Express, and use SQL Server Express as the backend. It will most likely run on a legal copy of Windows XP Pro (for starters). Is this legal?
Cheers.
I can't comment on the legality of any specific plan for a number of reasons. Most importantly, I'm not a lawyer. 
If you're not sure if your specific use of SQL Express falls within the limits of the EULA and the Redistribution Agreement (http://www.microsoft.com/sql/editions/express/redistregister.mspx) you should contact your own lawyer and have them read the agreements and offer an opinion.
I will say that the EULA language is pretty straight forward and we're not trying to trick anyone. Use your common sense.
Regards,
Mike Wachal
SQL Express team
