FGDB licensing for servers?

[AndrewTurner]

First off - thanks for finally providing an API to FGDB. There is a lot of great data in the world that's now more accessible.

However, I was reading on Paul Ramsey's post about some of the usage restrictions of the API: http://blog.cleverelephant.ca/2011/01/esri-fgdb-api-no-servers-need-apply.html

Is this indeed the case where the API could not be used as part of an open web service? What is the plan for changing the usage restriction in order to allow building services for opening and generating File Geodatabases? This seems like an unnecessary restriction in a world of web applications. For FGDB to really become open the API and toolset would really be free to use as desired by the community.

Thanks!
Andrew

[LanceShipman]

The license for the File Geodatabase AP Version 1.0 beta is single use in that each developer downloads their own copy. We do not restrict what applications can be built with the API. Before final release we will look into changing the license to allow a single download that can be distributed within an organization that has multiple developers who will be building applications with API.

[AndrewTurner]

Thanks for replying Lance. So it is ok if a developer downloads the FGDB API but then puts it onto a webserver and builds an APi that numerous other people can use as part of a "mashup" or other web application?

[LanceShipman]

Esri has no intention to limit the use of the File Geodatabase API. You may want to look at Paul's recent updates to his initial posting. http://blog.cleverelephant.ca/