I have seen a few freeware programs listed in download dot com that would be very useful to my readers, I thought about uploading the .exe files to my server and post a direct download link in my website. Is this legal? the software is freeware. Would I get in trouble with download dot com or the software developers?
This isn't an easy question to answer. If the programs are freeware they could still be copyrighted and the owner might only want to hand it out from specific locations. So to completely cover yourself you would have to ask the owner of the programs in question. Plus I would not what to host all sorts of programs,I'd find the direct download page and link to it from a detailed page. Most of the freeware you should be ok to host it yourself. If you do host it, put up a disclaimer stating it isn't yours and if the owner wants it removed to email you and then remove it fast. Course if you don't dislike shareware, you could go to the Association of Shareware Professionals and get their PAD file which has tons of programs etc.
You would definetally not get in trouble from download.com, but I am not sure about the developers sorry.
Why would I get in trouble with download.com?? they are not the owners of the software and I am not hotlinking the files, I would host the .exe files.
Can you not have a look in the Terms before you install the program ? It might say if you are able to distribute it yourself.
I know, thats what I said, you would definetally NOT get in trouble from download.com, you must have misread it
Hi I am shareware author and my opinion is to ask developers of these programs. I think that they will be happy when you offer their programs on your page with backlinks on authors pages of course.
Yea I know, I was not complaining actually, I was just curious if Download is not the developer. Thanks for helping - Repp added to the contributors