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Forum Discussion
If newer versions of Dropbox basic become unavailable for commercial use
Dropbox is set to automatically update itself to newer versions without user permission in Windows by default.
Q.1) So, if in future due to change in license policy the dropbox basic (free plan) "newer versions" become unavailable for commercial use then it would apply for users after the change in license policy, am I right?
An example of such a case is the app: FreeFileSync. It was written in the question "Is FreeFileSync free for commercial use?" on the FreeFileSync's FAQ webpage (which is a 'source') that FreeFileSync Standard Edition is free for commercial use but after change in license policy the answer to the question got UPDATED and FreeFileSync Standard Edition is now not free for commercial use: [removed]
But the license changes (commercial use not allowed) apply to FreeFileSync version 13 and later. Versions below 13 are still free for commercial use: [removed]
Q.2) Legally, just like the above example if a user is downloading and installing Dropbox at a point in time when there is a source (webpage, official forum, terms of service or any other source) stating that commercial use is allowed then that claim will remain for the entire lifetime for that user as only the newest version is available for Dropbox, isn't it?
At this point in time I can find the following sources (there maybe others) stating that commercial use is allowed for dropbox basic:-
Q.3) Also, will the above sources which are a proof that dropbox basic is free for commercial use be UPDATED to being not free for commercial use for users after the change in license policy (if there is any change in license policy)?
Thank you.
- Mark
Super User II
I have no idea what Dropbox plans etc. are, however, the terms and conditions can be updated at any point as per the modification clause at https://www.dropbox.com/terms.
I doubt they'd update the software to stop it working (they've not done that previously) they would just close accounts OR more likely stop syncing. For example when an OS is no longer supported the files dont get removed etc. the accounts just no longer sync.
In regards to updating threads, no, that would almost certainly not happen. Thats not happened previously when T&C changes have occurred.
I think you have mistakenly understood the example I have given of FreeFileSync to be a cloud sync app just like Dropbox. FreeFileSync is a local folder comparison and synchronization software. Hence it is not a competition to dropbox. So, you can (if acceptable to you) reinsert the removed links so that the readers can better understand this topic. I'll paste the two links again over here if needed.
Firstly, the terms of service is not the only source for finding information/claims/terms/answers from a service provider. If that was the case then there wouldn't be need of main website, FAQ webpage, forums, contact support etc. I'll give one more example: AeroAdmin main website explicitly mentions that it is available for business use but the EULA webpage does not mention anything about business/commercial use.
If in future, the terms of service (or any another source) states that commercial use is not allowed and at the same time the above 4 threads exist which state that commercial use is allowed then this will create a contradiction. This is exactly why I gave the example of FreeFileSync where the source: FAQ webpage got updated.
I'll try to explain the second question again (Extremely sorry for being lengthy):-
In case of FreeFileSync (Standard Edition), a source: FAQ webpage CLAIMED (in the past) that commercial use is allowed and I am assuming at that point in time there were FreeFileSync versions below 13. Hence users using FreeFileSync version below 13 are bound to that CLAIM/TERMS in the past. After the change in license policy, when (again I am assuming) FreeFileSync 13 and newer versions became available, the FAQ webpage now CLAIMS that commercial use is not allowed. Hence users using FreeFileSync version 13 and above are bound to the new CLAIM/TERMS. Zenju (Site Admin of FreeFileSync forum) has written "Not sure if retroactively changing terms would be even possible, legally. Anyway the license changes apply to version 13 and later."
In the case of Dropbox basic, the source: the 4 threads posted above CLAIM (in the present) that commercial use is allowed. Hence users using Dropbox currently are bound by the present CLAIM/TERMS. If in future due to change in license policy a source CLAIMS that commercial use is not allowed then users using Dropbox after the change in license policy would be bound by the new CLAIM/TERMS. The CLAIM/TERMS would be bound to a particular version of Dropbox but as only the newest version of Dropbox exists, both present CLAIM and the new CLAIM (if there is change in license policy) will be bound to the newest version of Dropbox. Is this right?
Thank you.- Mark
Solarr wrote:
In the case of Dropbox basic, the source: the 4 threads posted above CLAIM (in the present) that commercial use is allowed. Hence users using Dropbox currently are bound by the present CLAIM/TERMS. If in future due to change in license policy a source CLAIMS that commercial use is not allowed then users using Dropbox after the change in license policy would be bound by the new CLAIM/TERMS. The CLAIM/TERMS would be bound to a particular version of Dropbox but as only the newest version of Dropbox exists, both present CLAIM and the new CLAIM (if there is change in license policy) will be bound to the newest version of Dropbox. Is this right?
Thank you.The version of Dropbox is irrelevant - as it updates automatically about every 2 weeks. The issue would be, as Rich said bound by the terms in place at the time. Of which, if they changed, you'd be notified and told about at least 30 days in advance.
It has NOTHING AT ALL to do with which version of Dropbox you have downloaded.
