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PACKET-SNIFFER: Commercial Use?

Art Mecina
Genius 16505 points
Part Number: PACKET-SNIFFER

Hello Guys,

Does the software license for the SmartRF Protocol Packet Sniffer allow for commercial use? 

Here is the link to the software: https://www.ti.com/tool/PACKET-SNIFFER#technicaldocuments 

Thanks to confirm!

Art

  • 0
    TI__Expert 4800 points

    Hi Art,

    I'm not an expert on legal issues but what is ment by "commercial use" in this case?

    The SW license for the sniffer does state some limitations so I would not expect this to be possible. Have a look at the text under "License Grant and Use Restrictions". For example "Subject to the terms of this Agreement, TI hereby grants to you a limited, non-transferable, non-exclusive, non-assignable, non-sublicensable, fully paid-up and royalty-free license"

    Depending on the use here it should be check with the legal department.

    Regards,

    Øyvind

  • 0 in reply to Øyvind K
    TI__Genius 16505 points

    Hello Øyvind,

    Thank you for looking into this.

    With regards to your clarification on the  "commercial use", It means that the customer is looking into using the hardware and sniffer software to conduct evaluations on products for profit.

    I found this manifest file below for packet sniffer. Does this mean that the software is for commercial use? I appreciate your feedback on this.

    http://software-dl.ti.com/lprf/packet_sniffer_2/1.8.0/exports/SmartRF_Packet_Sniffer2_1.8.0_manifest.html

    Thanks!

    Art

  • 0 in reply to Art Mecina
    TI__Expert 4800 points

    Hi Art,

    Using the Packet Sniffer for evaluation shouldn't be any problem. That is the main purpose with the Packet Sniffer.

    If the request is to use any of the different components in a final product the SW Manifest contains three different licenses that apply: The Sniffer agent (TI Commercial), the Sniffer FW (BSD-3) and the Wireshark dissector (GPLv2). 

    I think the TI Commercial license, that is used for the Sniffer Agent, is the most restrictive one. As far as I have understood this is restricted to use with TI parts only.

    To be sure I will also check with the legal department.

    Regards,

    Øyvind

  • 0 in reply to Øyvind K
    TI__Expert 4800 points

    Hi Art,

    This is the answer from the legal department:

    Generally a TI Commercial license is used for TI proprietary software where we want to set forth limitations on how customers may use our software.   

    A few examples of limitations in a TI Commercial license are:

    • Software may only be used on or with a TI device
    • Software may not be distributed to any 3rd parties
    • Software may only be used for evaluation purposes

     In contrast, the BSD-3 and GPLv2 are open source licenses and have no restrictions.  Customers receiving software under open source licenses can generally use the software anyway they want (even with TI competitor devices) and can give it to whoever they want.

    Regards,

    Øyvind