Can I use the free VMWare Player for work?

Question

Possible Duplicate:
Can you help me with my software licensing question?

I was never good at reading and understanding commercial licenses, so I would like to ask a question. I just started working for a large company and I need to setup an environment on a virtual machine. I would like to use the free VMWare Player, but I'm not sure if I can: does the license allow me to do use the free version for commercial purposes?

Solution 1

In addition to 3molos answer, not without written agreement from VMware.

From the EULA: http://www.vmware.com/download/eula/player31.html

"VMware Player is intended for your own personal non-commercial use only. Player may only be used commercially or be re-distributed with written agreement from VMware. Requests should be submitted online at www.vmware.com/go/ playerdistribution."

Solution 2

You might want to read their FAQ.

What does it cost?

VMware Player is free for personal non-commercial use. VMware Player is only distributable with written permission from VMware. Please apply here to request a distribution agreement.

Comments

[user9517]

Perhaps you should get $BigCompany to provide you with the tools required to do the job.

[MacGyver]

Just use Oracle VM VirtualBox instead. No licensing dilemma for commercial use. Just lack of features, but it's a solution.. see #2 in the licensing guide virtualbox.org/wiki/Licensing_FAQ

[silvesthu]

Just to add to this...from my expereience they issue written permission to anyone who asks for it, you do not have to jump through any hoops.

[Alec Mev]

I do not think this is the case anymore, not for recent versions. Player-specific EULA is nowhere to be found, "about" dialog invites you to buy a license for commercial use, and the FAQ mentioned in another answer has no mention of "written permission" exceptions.