   What are "commercial purposes"?
  As a student, I am often eligible for software discounts, as long as I don't use the software for "commercial purposes". I'm not entirely sure what that includes. Is it forbidden for me to use that software in the production of something freely distributable, or does it only apply to things that are profit-oriented? I don't intend to sell what I make, so I'm under the assumption that it's legal to distribute what I make, just as long as it's free, correct?   
  presumably, products aren't licensed "not for something", but have a specific kind of copyright license, I'm just assuming that you're talking about an Educational Purposes copyright, tho i could be wrong!I don't believe that any of this dictates whether you can sell your work or not, just that for it to be a legal copy it must be used in conjunction with school and on-site at the school?FCC educational purposesEducational PurposesEligibility of Priority 1 and Priority 2 services in on-site facilities.In its Second Report and Order (FCC 03-101, released April 30, 2003), the FCC amended its rules to clarify the meaning of educational purposes as follows:   [A]ctivities that are integral, immediate, and proximate to the education of students, or in the case of libraries, integral, immediate, and proximate to the provision of library services to library patrons, qualify as “educational purposes.” Activities that occur on library or school property are presumed to be integral, immediate, and proximate to the education of students or the provision of library services to library patrons. 47 C.F.R. § 54.500(b).    Eligibility of Priority 1 services in on-site non-instructional facilities. Telecommunications Services and Internet Access provided to on-site non-instructional facilities are eligible for E-rate discounts under this revised definition beginning with Funding Year 2004. Examples of non-instructional facilities on school property include, but are not limited to, administrative buildings, school bus barns and garages, cafeteria offices, and facilities associated with athletic activities. Examples of non-instructional facilities on library property include, but are not limited to, administrative buildings, bookmobile garages, interlibrary loan facilities, and library technology centers. These non-instructional facilities must be located on school or library property to be considered eligible.    Eligibility of Priority 2 services in on-site non-instructional facilities. The eligibility of Internal Connections provided to on-site non-instructional facilities continues to be limited by FCC rules as follows:   Discounts are not available for internal connections in non-instructional buildings of a school or school district, or in administrative buildings of a library, to the extent that a library system has separate administrative buildings, unless those internal connections are essential for the effective transport of information to an instructional building of a school or to a non-administrative building of a library. 47 C.F.R. § 54.506Eligibility of Priority 1 services off-siteIn certain limited circumstances, telecommunications services used offsite may also be eligible. Examples of these eligible uses include “a school bus driver’s use of wireless telecommunications services while delivering children to and from school, a library staff person’s use of wireless telecommunications service on a library’s mobile library unit van, and the use by teachers or other school staff of wireless telecommunications service while accompanying students on a field trip or sporting event.” (Second Report and Order, footnote 28).If a non-instructional facility is not on school or library property, that facility is not eligible for discounts, even if it is dedicated solely to school or library activities.Eligible activitiesThe customary work activities of employees of a school or library that occur on school or library property are now presumed to fall under the definition of educational purposes. Examples of eligible activities for schools now include, but are not limited to, the school-related activities of school administrators, school counselors, school nurses, school technology workers, cafeteria workers, security guards, and school bus drivers. Examples of eligible activities for libraries now include, but are not limited to, the library-related activities of library administrators, library technology workers, library bookmobile drivers, interlibrary loan workers, and security guards. These employees must be using Priority 1 services that are paid for by the eligible school or library.   ;  So, in a sentence, I'm only allowed to use it for learning?The specific product I'm trying to buy doesn't restrict usage to only "educational purposes", but rather only "non-commercial purposes". I figure, then, that's it's fine to use that product in the production of something that I'm not making for profit.   ;  I would ask the author, if you could.  You'd be surprised at how often a real human being answers you and how open some can be.  Failing that, you could always try to ask on the IGDA forum's legal section.   ;  Anything commercial is something that is distributed at a price. Aslong as your programs are 100% free, you can use the product for it.   ;Quote:Original post by UndeadlnsanityAnything commercial is something that is distributed at a price. Aslong as your programs are 100% free, you can use the product for it.By your definition, advertisment and promotional offers are not commercial. Picture yourself telling a judge that, although you distributed one copy of your game for free along with every box of cereal you sell, you used the program for non-commercial purposes.;  The license should explain everything.But generally on student licenses you can't:- Sell things you make with the program- Use the things you make with the program for advertising purposes, even promotion of a site.- Exchanging resources made with the program for goods.And the usual don't distribute the program clauses.   ;  My Black's Law Dictionary has this definition for commercial purposes:Quote:commercial purpose: in general, any use, intent, or aim which is not, either directly or indirectly, for non-profit-making purposes. Some stricter clauses require that the use be both private and personal, which would exclude non-profit entities.