How do .LIC Files Work

Most commercially distributed OCXs are protected by some form of licensing scheme. Most commonly used is the development-time license that allows developers to work with the objects on their forms within the IDE. Typically (and as is the case with all DBI Technologies components), developers of an application are each required to purchase a license for the components they use in their application. The purchase of a license typically includes:

• The OCX files

• An LIC (license) file for each licensed OCX

• Supporting documentation and any other inclusions with the product

In development environments (such as VB, VFP, Access) that produce an EXE, the LIC information for each COM object that is used in the application is bound up with the OLE container at compile time. Target systems are then distributed:

• The EXE and any other inherent files (tables and so forth) 

• The OCX files that are required by the application

• Any support DLL’s required by the OCX files (i.e. MS Foundation Class files)

Important Note: The DBI Technologies’ LIC files are never distributed to client (non-licensed) systems.