Open Source (AGPL) Edition Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The frequently asked questions below address many common queries regarding FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ Open Source (AGPL) edition. For further information, please refer to the Help Centre or Technical section of this website.

Licensing

What licence is the Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN distributed under?

The Open Source edition of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ is distributed under an AGPL3 (Affero General Public Licence Version 3).

Is it really free? What's the catch?

Yes, The Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN is completely free to download and use. There are no restrictions on the number of system users and modifications may be made to the source code (excluding removal of the attribution). There is no catch. All we ask is that you adhere to any licence restrictions (see below).

Are there any restrictions to the Open Source (AGPL) licence?

There are two main restrictions to the Open Source (AGPL) licence. Firstly, the attribution must be retained on all system interfaces. Secondly, if any modifications are made to the source code, a publicly accessible link (URL) to the modified source code must be provided on all system interfaces. Please note: Any modified versions of the Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN are also subject to AGPL3. If you require an edition of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager without the attribution ('white label'), our Commercial edition provides you with the freedom to do this.

Can we remove or suppress the FocusOPEN logo and links on the Open Source (AGPL) edition?

No. The presence of the attribution ('Powered By FocusOPEN' logo and links) is a requirement of the Open Source (AGPL) licence and this attribution must be retained on all system interfaces (see above). Further, if modifications are made to the source code, a publicly accessible link (URL) to the modified code must also be provided. Please note: Any modified versions of the Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN are also subject to the AGPL. Please refer to the AGPL and the GPL Licence FAQ with particular reference to the terms of the AGPL3 licence for further information. If you require an edition of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager without the attribution ('white label'), our Commercial edition provides you with the freedom to do this.

Can't we just find the attribution and remove it ourselves without you knowing?

Removal of the attribution would breach the terms of our agreement and would leave you liable to prosecution for the wilful infringement of our intellectual property rights (IPR). If software that infringes the Open Source (AGPL) licence is distributed to a third-party (for example, your clients), this third-party may become involved in any subsequent legal proceedings. If you require an edition of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ without the attribution ('white label'), our Commercial edition provides you with the freedom to do this.

How long has FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ been available for?

FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ has been available for 15 years (since 1995). The Open Source (AGPL) edition was released in 2010.

How come the Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN was not released until 2010?

Until recently, Daydream only offered FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ to our enterprise clients. However, having received many enquiries expressing an interest in an open source ASP.NET DAM solution that did not require an enterprise budget to implement, we took the decision to make an edition of FocusOPEN available via AGPL in 2010.

We took the core of our enterprise-class product and re-engineered it so it is suitable for community-based, open source distribution. Although we have always distributed our products under an open source licence to our clients, the Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN is now free to download, use and modify by our ever-increasing user base.

If we include FocusOPEN with our own product, is that also subject to the AGPL?

If the source code has not been modified and your system interacts with FocusOPEN via the database or any other exposed interface, then you are not required to alter the licence of your own or other software. (You are, however, still required to adhere to any licence restrictions that pertain to the Open Source (AGPL) edition in use.)

If the source code has been modified in any way, then this modified version of FocusOPEN Open Source (AGPL) edition must be distributed under the AGPL (see 'Restrictions' above). Therefore, if your software integrates directly with FocusOPEN via the source code to create 'derivative' or 'hybrid' software, then this software is also subject to the AGPL and must be distributed under this licence. (See 'FLOSS Licence Exception' below, if you wish to distribute a 'derivative' or 'hybrid' system under an alternative, recognised open source software licence).

Do you permit a FLOSS Licence Exception?

Only by special arrangement. Please contact us with details of your proposed licence and information about your software.

If we need to include FocusOPEN with our product and the resulting combination is not supplied with an open source licence, is there an option for us to licence FocusOPEN for distribution?

Yes. We understand that there may be scenarios where you may not wish to distribute FocusOPEN or a 'derivative' or 'hybrid' system under the AGPL. In this case, you would be required to upgrade to our Commercial edition and join our FocusOPEN reseller programme. Our reseller programme is currently free to join and FocusOPEN resellers receive numerous other benefits, including discounts on volume licensing, hosting and support packages. Please contact us to discuss becoming a FocusOPEN reseller.

Branding

Can we rebrand the Open Source (AGPL) edition by changing logos, colours, fonts, etc?

Yes, providing that the attribution ('Powered by FocusOPEN' logo and link (URL) to this site) and a link (URL) to any source code modifications made, are retained on all system interfaces. The Open Source (AGPL) edition provides facilities to upload customised 'skin packs' (CSS and graphic files) so that user interfaces can be quickly and easily modified to reflect any additional brand requirements. If you require an edition of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager without the attribution ('white label'), our Commercial edition provides you with the freedom to do this.

Does the Open Source (AGPL) edition support multiple brands?

Yes. Please note that the attribution ('Powered by FocusOPEN' logo and link (URL) to this site) and a link (URL) to any source code modifications made must be retained on all system interfaces for each brand. If you require an edition of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager without the attribution ('white label'), our Commercial edition provides you with the freedom to do this.

Source Code

Do we get full access to the source code?

Yes, the full source code to FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ is provided in the downloadable source pack. As FocusOPEN is built using ASP.NET and SQL Server, there are some Microsoft components that we cannot provide the source code for. With the exception of those Microsoft dependencies mentioned, all software components in the Open Source (AGPL) edition are provided free of charge and open source.

Technology

Does the Open Source (AGPL) edition include legacy components that Microsoft no longer support?

No. All editions of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ are under constant development to ensure that the software uses current and supported Microsoft components. Subscribers to both the Open Source (AGPL) edition and the Commercial edition will be notified as and when upgrades to their editions are released. See the Technical section for further information on the Microsoft components currently in use.

Does the Open Source (AGPL) edition use any other supporting open source components?

Yes. The Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN uses a number of supporting open source components to assist with media processing (for example, proxy asset generation). The following dependencies are currently in use: ImageMagick, GhostScript, LAME, EXIF Tool and FFMPEG. These components are distributed with both the source and deployment packs.

Will the Open Source (AGPL) edition operate on alternative open source technologies, such as Mono under Linux or MySQL?

No, not at this time. If there is sufficient demand we may consider releasing an edition that will run on other platforms, but currently our objective is the provision of an open source ASP.NET Digital Asset Management system that will operate in a typical Microsoft Windows & SQL Server business IT environment.

Support

Do you offer support for the Open Source (AGPL) edition?

Yes. Community, email and 24x7 telephone support packages are available for all editions of FocusOPEN – including the Open Source (AGPL) edition. As we offer support independently of the software licence, it is possible to choose the exact combination to meet your requirements. See Services for more information.

Hosting & Software as a Service (SaaS)

Do you offer hosting for the Open Source (AGPL) edition?

Yes, we offer virtualised, dedicated and cloud hosting packages for both the Open Source (AGPL) and Commercial editions. See Hosting for more information.

Is the Open Source (AGPL) edition available as a hosted SaaS (Software as a Service) option?

Yes, both the Open Source (AGPL) and Commercial editions are available as SaaS. 'On Demand' is the Software as a Service offer for FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ and provides a comprehensive package including licence, support and hosting that can be scaled up or down to suit your requirements. With monthly billing and no minimum contract period, On Demand is perfect for organisations who lack in-house expertise yet need to get up and running fast. See On Demand for more information.

Documentation & Help

Where can I read technical documentation regarding FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ ?

Our Help Centre includes a Developer Wiki with technical and other documentation, including a Quick Start Deployment Guide to assist you with the implementation of FocusOPEN. Access to our Developer Wiki is free to both registered and non-registered site users.

Where can I discuss FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ with other developers and users?

Our Help Centre includes a moderated Help Forum where developers and users can discuss and share information regarding FocusOPEN. Access to our Help Forum is free to both registered and non-registered site users, however only registered users can post or reply to discussion threads.

Developer Information

Is there a developer programme for FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™?

We are in the process of setting up the FocusOPEN Developer Network, which will provide members with exclusive technical information, development tools and opportunities to contribute modules, enhancements and other extensions to the FocusOPEN source code. In addition, freelance developers and software consulting businesses will be notified of any available development projects or other work opportunities with FocusOPEN. Register now to express an interest in participating in the FocusOPEN Developer Network and to benefit from our 'early bird' free membership scheme.

Is there a public source code repository like SVN, GIT, CVS, etc?

No, not yet. At present, the source code is provided as downloadable (zip) packs that are available on registration. We are however, in the process of setting up the FocusOPEN Developer Network, which will include access to a source code repository system for members. Register now to express an interest in participating in the FocusOPEN Developer Network and to benefit from our 'early bird' free membership scheme.

Can I contribute to the source code?

Yes. Once launched, our FocusOPEN Developer Network programme will allow members to contribute modules, enhancements and other extensions to the FocusOPEN source code and influence the future direction of the software. Register now to express an interest in participating in the FocusOPEN Developer Network and to benefit from our 'early bird' free membership scheme.

Trialling & Downloading

Why do I have to register to download the Open Source (AGPL) edition?

Registration enables us to better manage our service to you. Registrants receive many other benefits, including discounts on compatible third-party components, free membership to our reseller and developer network programmes, free access to our Help Centre (includes Developer Wiki and Help Forum) and free product upgrades. We will not share your information with third-parties without your consent. For further information, see our Privacy Policy.

Is there a way to try the Open Source (AGPL) edition before downloading it?

Yes. Take a tour to view our screenshot gallery, our Flash-based presentation and to trial a live sandbox demo edition of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™ online.

Where can I download the Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN?

Register then simply activate your account to download the latest source and deployment packs for the Open Source (AGPL) edition of FocusOPEN Digital Asset Manager ™.

FocusOPEN Developer Network - Find Out More

FocusOPEN Commercial Edition - Find Out More

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