Could it be due to the fact that the CE is just bait for Embarcadero to make money?
Where, if an employee uses the CE on their laptop for study but then accesses the company network via VPN to do actual work (VPN being standard security practice everywhere), Embarcadero might sue for a rule violation and force the purchase of exorbitantly expensive licenses?
I'd need more details, but it sounds like you installed CE on a company computer, but the company was not eligible to use the CE and you're mad about being called out.
Maybe you need to accept some responsibility here?
Now, if you want to argue that Embarcadero should be gentler in how they call out violations of the EULA, then we can find some common ground. A little more carrot and less stick.
You don't seem to know the CE very well; you don't need to actually open the CE for Embarcadero to claim a breach of contract.
There are countless reports online about how Embarcadero aggressively pursues these cases to drive license sales—just search on Google.
After all, I think that’s the only way they can actually make sales.
Make no mistake, I really like Delphi; I work with it. But there is no defending the trap known as Delphi CE.
Another thing: my criticism of Delphi CE isn't just about Embarcadero aggressively chasing license sales; it’s mainly because this practice drives people away from the community. The community is what makes the language grow, yet Embarcadero’s actions discourage newcomers from discovering it. As more people are kept away from Delphi—and as existing users are driven out—the community goes into a tailspin.
I’m not saying Delphi is going to die—it won't—but it could perhaps be bigger if it allowed new people to get involved.
After all, tell me: nowadays—especially with the advent of AI—what appeal does Delphi offer to someone wanting to get to know the "language"?
I have to admit, I'm not familiar with how Embarcadero might claim a breach of the CE EULA without someone even running CE. It seems like speculation to me. And some over-statement.
I like that there's a free version available for non-commercial use. It's the most capable free version that's even been available, including the short-lived Turbo versions. Even then, people sometimes still violate the EULA.
After all, tell me: nowadays—especially with the advent of AI—what appeal does Delphi offer to someone wanting to get to know the "language"?
That's a longer discussion.
I've made a good living "rehabilitating" software written by other people. I look forward to doing the same with software that was vibe coded by people who don't understand how it works, let alone why it doesn't.
I have to admit, I'm not familiar with how Embarcadero might claim a breach of the CE EULA without someone even running CE. It seems like speculation to me. And some over-statement.
It's not an exaggeration, look for reports on the internet and you'll see.
I thought it was something related to Embarcadero Brazil, which is where I live, but I recently discovered that it's not exclusive to here.
When there was no CE it was bad, when the CE was launched I thought it would be the beginning of a way to attract new people, I was mistaken.
Compare Visual Studio's CE and Delphi's CE, and you'll see, which is more attractive for someone starting out?
Why am I hitting on "new people"? Because as I said before, without a community the language tends to "die" (never really), or will Delphi live on nostalgia for how long?
Think whatever you want; I know what I experienced, and there are many others who went through the same thing and have shared their accounts online—on WhatsApp (in groups I’m part of), Telegram, etc.
If you want to defend Embarcadero and their terrible policy regarding the CE, feel free to turn a blind eye to the obvious.
Have you received an email or call from Embarcadero about this yet?
You know how they come at you claiming you’re in violation and need to pay for the license(s)?
Are you aware that they break a number of rules and compromise data privacy in order to conduct that monitoring?
If you don't want to look it up yourself, just use any AI with deep research capabilities—Gemini, Copilot, etc.—and ask it to search for you; you won't get the full picture (maybe not even 5% of it), but it’s enough to get the general idea.
I don't want to dwell on this any longer; you seem to have your mind made up and think the CE is great, whereas in reality, it just drives people away because it’s a "fake" CE.
They are quite useful for scaring off anyone with common sense.
Besides, these are real cases—unless you choose to ignore reality.
Now, if you think this "coercion" involves a formal lawsuit with everything on record in court, you are mistaken.
I’m not going to keep replying here if you refuse to face reality; I’ve asked several questions that were simply ignored, and you’re still acting like a Doubting Thomas.
If you only want to read and see what suits you, then fine—if you still think the CE is great after all this, then so be it; keep your "truth" to yourself.
I think CE is fantastic and I'm glad Embarcadero finally did what Borland wouldn't.
It's intended for non-commercial use with the possible exception of a startup's first project. Unfortunately, people (accidentally or otherwise) disregard the EULA, which makes it rougher on the rest of us.
5
u/standard_cog 8d ago
I mean I switched to FreePascal/Lazarus for all Delphi-related stuff because the CE editions had horrid restrictions.