[Ardour-Dev] VST and binaries

[John Emmas]

Whenever I compile Ardour, a file gets generated (called PACKAGER_README)
which states that developers must not distribute Ardour in binary form with
VST support enabled.  Although this isn't something I've ever needed to do,
yesterday (for reasons unconnected with Ardour) I needed to read the VST
developer's license agreement here:-

http://www.steinberg.de/532+M52087573ab0.html

I can't see anywhere where it seeks to limit the developer's right to
distribute binaries.  In fact the whole purpose of the agreement is to grant
rights to a developer (and I quote) " for the development of VST PlugIns
and/or for the development of an application that can host VST PlugIns."
The only proviso is that you don't distribute the "VST Plugin Interface
Technology".  Sadly, the "VST Plugin Interface Technology" isn't actually
defined anywhere - but further down the agreement it states that "Steinberg
licences the VST PlugIn Interface Technology on an 'AS IS' basis."  This
suggests that the VST PlugIn Interface Technology is, effectively, the
developer's SDK.  In other words, you may distribute plugins and host
programs that use the SDK but not the SDK itself.  This is in line with
other similar licensing arrangements.

Have I mis-read the agreement or is there some other agreement covering
Ardour?

John