From the linked article:

Microsoft's XP license agreement says, "Except as otherwise permitted by the NetMeeting, Remote Assistance, and Remote Desktop features described below, you may not use the Product to permit any Device to use, access, display, or run other executable software residing on the Workstation Computer..."

The device is any "other" computer, terminal or workstation etc. (such as would run VNC Viewer), according to the licence definitions. It is allowed provided it is duly licenced (to M$) but affects not only VNC - what of any

of the third-party viewers etc? How about accessing it if it is running a web server? Secondly, one may not use "the Product" to permit etc. The Product is XP. Is VNC Server the Product? Unlikely, I think. Also, it specifies "the Product running on the Workstation Computer", so run as a server it would be OK.

Typical M$ perhaps but not a serious problem since it is patently erroneous

in concept. Certainly, any suggestion that non-M$ products could not connect lawfully would be contrary to the anti-trust cases already held. It bodes well for Open Source and, particularly, LTSP perhaps?

This whole business is patent M$ nonsense. WHat about a share containing software? I'm allowing someone else to use programs? If I have bought or written something and it's properly licensed [from its author] it's none of M$'s business. If I run a Java app on a station and clients connect to it using RMI am I breaking the M$ law? This is like buying a car and being told where you must buy your tyres and petrol. Any lawyer would laugh it out of court. I suggest that in law it's unenforcable and you tell M$ to stick the agreement where the sun don't shine. BUT ... The only thing that makes sense is the last part of the sentence, and without seeing the whole XP licence I'm taking it out of context: "unless the Device has a separate license for the Product." If we are remotely accessing software on a station, of course we need to make sure that application is properly licensed. You shouldn't buy one copy and allow remote access from your entire network. That doesn't imply that it has to be a M$ licence does it? Isn't that really the gist of what M$ are getting at? And GPL *Is* a licence. Just one you don't pay money for. -- ******************************************************************************** All mail sent and received may be examined to prevent transmission of unacceptable material. Wellington College does not accept responsibility for email contents. Problems to postmaster@wellington-college.berks.sch.uk. Website: http://www.wellington-college.berks.sch.uk ********************************************************************************