WTF, Repetier-Host is now Closed Source?

[3D_is_my_LIFE]

Just saw this. It appears that it went closed source about a month or two ago, but I'm not sure on the date. Why the heck would this do this?

EULA (End User License Agreement) for Repetier-Host (hereinafter called software)

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY before you start installing the software. This EULA is a legal agreement between you (hereinafter called licensee) and the company Hot-World GmbH & Co. KG (hereinafter called licensor). By installing or using the software, you agree that you accept this agreement binding. If you do not agree with this agreement, do not install and use the software.

The software is protected by copyright. All rights to the program remain with the licensor.

§ 1 License
The licensor grants you a non-exclusive, non-sublicensable, non-transferable, limited license for this software. The software is free for personal and commercial use. It can be installed on as many computers as you like. It can be freely distributed and copied.

§ 2 Support und Updates
The licensor is not obligated to provide support, fix bugs or provide updates. In what type and frequency this happens is solely the responsibility of the licensor.

§ 3 Costs
By installing and using the software no costs arise.

§ 4 Restrictions
Reverse engineering, decompilation and disassembling the software are prohibited.

The software is based on Repetier-Host version 0.90 with Apache License, Version 2.0. Newly developed codes including bug fixes are no longer under the Apache License, Version 2.0. Exceptions are the translations, which still have an Apache License, Version 2.0.

§ 5 Warranty restriction
The Software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation any implied warranties of condition, uninterrupted use, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The Licensor does not give any guarantee or warranty to the accuracy or completeness of the software and the provided functions or their products. The licensor is not liable for any damages or viruses, trojans, malware or other malicious software that result from the use of the software. The program was written by the licensor to the best of knowledge and belief without malicious programs.

§ 6 Limitation of Liability
The author of this program is not liable for damage to software or hardware, or property damage caused by the use of the program, unless they are based on gross negligence or intent on the part of the author, his agents or his legal representatives.

Warning: 3D printers contain parts that are very hot and can cause a fire in case of errors or misuse. Therefore, 3D printers may only be operated under constant supervision. Also, toxins can be set free upon melting the filament depending on the material. Contact the manufacturer of the filament to ask for risks and dangers. The 3D printer may therefore be used only in well-ventilated areas.

§ 7 Privacy Policy
The Repetier-Host will automatically connect to the Internet to retrieve data from web servers to check for updates or to download advertising contents. It will not transmit personal data, statistics or files.

§ 8 Third-Party Software
This software contains or is accompanied by third-party software, data or other materials, which supplement the Repetier-Host functionality. For these programs, the licenses of the software applies. By accepting this license, you acknowledge and agree that you comply with the third-party terms and conditions and that the licensor has no responsibility and gives no warrenties for third-party software. You find these terms and conditions on the third-party web pages or in the about boxes.

[JacobysOne]

This is a little disappointing, but I don't think it will effect any of us much. Were many people really utilizing the openness of Repetier Host anyhow?

[papabur]

I know I was...

[phr0ze]

Also interesting

The Repetier-Host will automatically connect to the Internet to retrieve data from web servers to check for updates or to download advertising contents.

So perhaps the point is they are trying to monetize with ads, and as open source that portion can easily be ripped out.

You are free to use the prior open source version still.

[KDog]

Wow, that's too bad. I would much rather pay a small premium to purchase than have ads on board. I'm hoping this all means that the product will be upgraded? Would be very nice to see a modular GUI and the ability to add and program buttons. It has always bugged me that you can't get all the manual controls on screen.

[mAcademia]

repetier [ PM ] Re: Did Repetier-Host went closed source? new February 24, 2014 01:17AM

Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 1,891

We tried the open source model for over 2 years. User contributions were very low, so nearly all work was done by us. So we ended working 10 hours a day 7 days a week which we could not spend earning money. In addition other used our work for their profit without sharing it with us. Fortunately not all companies go that way. Quite some printer vendors support us with custom host version and we believe this step will even increase the number of supporters, so we can keep a free host version with new features. The alternative would be to stop developing the host, which would be even more lost to the community.

http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?26...771#msg-333771 Yea they did that.

[Davo]

Our plan is to keep an open host version. We will also continue to improve the plugin structure, so that also closed source, any one can add his functionalities. So the difference is not as big as one might think.

@kscharf You can surely use the free host version for free. We make our money with customized version for printer vendors, who pay a fee to get a optimized version for their printers with included drivers, printer settings and slicer settings.

(bold italics mine)

http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?26...627#msg-333627