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Q&A: Help understanding a license agreement in computer software?

music licensing agreement
by nimboo

Question by SedativeChunk: Help understanding a license agreement in computer software?
I need some help from someone who knows the law well, or at least contracts. I purchased FL Studio 9, a special program used for making music. I am a college student and I decided to buy the academic version of the program, as it was much cheaper and I wanted to have my own copy.

Beyond having the software for learning purposes, I wanted to sell songs I made. On the following page, the creators of the software state that as long as you have purchased a license, you are allowed to sell your own original work created in the software: http://support.image-line.com/knowledgebase/base.php?id=36&ans=41

However, that page has nothing to do with the academic license, and it says “First, all terms of the End User License Agreement apply” before anything. In the license agreement, it contains the following statement for academic license users:
“Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, you may not use the Software for the purpose of conducting, or in connection with, any commercial purposes or business purposes, whether “profit” or “not-for-profit”. Any work performed or produced as a result of use of this Software cannot be performed or produced for the benefit of other parties for a fee, compensation or any other reimbursement or remuneration. ”

From my understanding, it sounds like it means that it is talking about other people using the software and not me, and that the software cannot be used in a business. I am using it from my house to create my own original music and in the future, I would like to sell my music. Is that against that clause in the agreement?
Someone please help me decipher this so that I do not make the mistake of selling music when I am not allowed to with this version.

Best answer:

Answer by Common Sense
With an academic license you cannot use the software for any kind of financial gain. You need a regular license.

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