[windows software] TeamViewer suspects commercial use on my dev box

[dapaulio]

Looking for any thoughts on this topic

 

I have a teamviewer installation on my development/skills box which I use solely for developing my skills. This is not a production server although I am using ees licensing, it is connected to a business broadband line and is housed on a business site.

 

It is a single tin server with HV role and teamviewer installed. I receive notification that it detects commercial use where in my opinion it is not.i see why teamviewer may think it’s commercial but not sure how I would go about fixing it without paying for it.

 

I’m not looking to defraud teamviewer, just imo this box is for my own personal experience and up skilling hence using a personal license

 

What is everyone else opinion? Do you agree? Anyone any word of wisdom alternative remote solution that preferably is free

 

TIA

[ITGuyWestMidlands]

It will be because it's on a business line with a static IP. Maybe just call them and explain?

[dapaulio]

I have tried contacting them but anyone who I have spoken to already have been less than helpful

[Arthur]

It is a single tin server with HV role

I would have thought it would be more to do with that fact that your PC is running Hyper-V. Home users don't use VMs or Windows Server.

 

As an alternative, you could try Chrome Remote Desktop or Remote Desktop through a VPN.

 

AnyDesk or ConnectWise Control might also be worth looking at if you need a commercial solution that is cheaper than TeamViewer / LogMeIn.

[dapaulio]

After some digging. I found this page https://community.teamviewer.com/t5/Knowledge-Base/Why-do-I-see-TeamViewer-trial-Your-trial-period-has-expired/ta-p/5267

which explains that a server OS automatically qualifies the installation as commercial regardless of what you choose on installation. The page also explains that you can register with a good enough reason using their personal use verification.

https://www.teamviewer.com/en/support/personal-use-verification/?_ga=2.120562190.70282782.1540124955-1486417671.1491848098

 

However the community have expressed disgust at TV inability to respond at all let alone positively to these requests as one person commented that the support rep basically said they do not support free users, there is nothing they can do.

 

I have registered my request so fingers crossed a positive response.

[jmak]

If it's being used on work premises during working hours you could argue that it is for the benefit of the business and therefore business use.

 

If you're training yourself at home in the evening, but for some reason have a business provided broadband line, your case is stronger.

 

I'm not saying you're being unreasonable, just that they have a case too and when it's their product, it's their decision so you might not win the argument...

[Arthur]

It will be because it's on a business line with a static IP.

How could they tell it's a business line though?

 

My home broadband connection with Zen has a static IP.

[Mistert89]

If you end up needing to buy something, look at Parallels Access. I was surprised at functionality an low cost.

[ITGuyWestMidlands]

How could they tell it's a business line though?

 

My home broadband connection with Zen has a static IP.

ISPs are allocated certain ranges and it may be that a reverse lookup reveals the IP is also used for hosting other commercial services.

[JRowley]

The type of line has nothing to do with it, I use TV at work to remote to my home PC without issue. The only time TV has ever complained is when I've used it on a server os.

[ITGuyWestMidlands]

I had it with a Win7 VM - I'd imagine they look at a combination of things.

[dapaulio]

Chances are yeah. They already mention they classify server os as commercial. It Most likely on anything that differentiate a server to a domestic device

If it were a vm running W7 then they may look at processor type also.

[dapaulio]

O FYI update... no response from teamviewer to my verification. Not looking to hopeful [emoji848]

[Fazza]

Intel Mesh Central is good and free. You log on via a web browser and then you can either view the computer in the web browser or click a link to open a secure RDP session to it.

[TechMonkey]

Playing devil's advocate, you are using business hardware with business licenses on a business premise to play with a business development system to further your business related skills. I'm still on the fence though if it is business related.

[dapaulio]

Playing devil's advocate, you are using business hardware with business licenses on a business premise to play with a business development system to further your business related skills. I'm still on the fence though if it is business related.

 

Noted I thought that also but then could you argue that all personal use is to some degree for financial / business gain if you think exactly for what purpose you are using teamviewer in the first place

Eg I install it on my mum and dads computer or my friends computer. Next time I see them I get fed or pint bought for me. I have made a profitable gain...

Where’s the line get drawn?

Yes what ever I am playing with may then get incorporated in to business but at this point it is simply playing, breaking and fixing

[TechMonkey]

Noted I thought that also but then could you argue that all personal use is to some degree for financial / business gain if you think exactly for what purpose you are using teamviewer in the first place

Eg I install it on my mum and dads computer or my friends computer. Next time I see them I get fed or pint bought for me. I have made a profitable gain...

Where’s the line get drawn?

Yes what ever I am playing with may then get incorporated in to business but at this point it is simply playing, breaking and fixing

 

But the distinction isn't financial, business or profitable gain, it is commercial use. In my opinion your example is just semantics, is your mum making you dinner counted as commercial? I think you'd have to be fairly mean to say yes. If you were using TeamViewer to help out mates, no not commercial unless your mates are all self employed and you are sorting out something business related, even more so if they slip you something each month to keep you available.

 

Is using business resources to run a development/test network counted as commercial use? I'd say overwhelmingly yes. If it was your own kit situated at home, using your own licenses, that you wanted to check something on occasionally, then I could see a different argument.

 

EDIT: Alternative view, if it is non-commercial have you let the school management know you are running personal kit on-site and have they signed of on it using the school connection, being PAT tested and that it is compliant with all policies and their insurance?

Edited October 25, 2018 by TechMonkey

[dapaulio]

But the distinction isn't financial, business or profitable gain, it is commercial use. In my opinion your example is just semantics, is your mum making you dinner counted as commercial? I think you'd have to be fairly mean to say yes. If you were using TeamViewer to help out mates, no not commercial unless your mates are all self employed and you are sorting out something business related, even more so if they slip you something each month to keep you available.

 

Is using business resources to run a development/test network counted as commercial use? I'd say overwhelmingly yes. If it was your own kit situated at home, using your own licenses, that you wanted to check something on occasionally, then I could see a different argument.

 

EDIT: Alternative view, if it is non-commercial have you let the school management know you are running personal kit on-site and have they signed of on it using the school connection, being PAT tested and that it is compliant with all policies and their insurance?

 

To a fashion yes. Everything is above board. It was old server that has been stricken off the register, and is known I’m using it for personal development. It is connected to a router acting as backup internet line, not touching the infrastructure.

 

As far as my network is concerned it can’t see it and it is not even physically connected to it. No different technically than connecting it to my home router. I don’t fancy having a server screaming away in my front room 🤫

 

I get both sides of the argument but would have thought circumstances would enable me to further educate myself.

[TechMonkey]

"To a fashion" makes it sound like they aren't quite as informed as maybe they should be? If the hardware has been struck off the register are they happy with it being on premise? If it were to catch fire would they and the Insurance company be happy with the situation. Just thinking of the questions I would be asking. Or imagine a student asked to house a server at school?

 

"As far as my network is concerned it can’t see it and it is not even physically connected to it." You are just describing a test network, any test network is separate so you know it is not influenced by the Dev network, and it cannot influence back. That doesn't affect the classification of commercial or not.

 

"I get both sides of the argument but would have thought circumstances would enable me to further educate myself." No one is trying to stop you trying to further educate yourself, but a software company has stipulated that you may use their software for free for non-commercial use. To all intents and purposes you are using it for commercial purposes.

 

Infact the EULA says:

3.4. Scope of use for Freemium-Software.

The use of the Freemium-Software is solely permitted for the user’s own, private, non-commercial purposes (e.g. free computer support for a spouse/partner). The use of the Freemium-Software for the exercise of the user’s own trade or profession or the use for purposes for which the user directly or indirectly receives compensation (team work with colleagues, free support provided to third parties which have bought software of the user) does not qualify as private use.

 

The important bit being "the exercise of the user’s own trade or profession". You are exercising your profession.

 

Get the school to purchase a license, purchase one yourself and take it with you if you leave or get an alternative. It just sounds like you know the correct answer but you are trying to justify it to yourself and get that justification validated.

[dapaulio]

Lol [emoji23] it would seem teamviewer has accepted my personal verification. Although I haven’t had a response, I am able to connect and hasnt kicked me off.

It has been a nice debate and @TechMonkey I have taken your points on board as you have some valid points I had overlooked initially, prompting me to check that they are in fact ok with my dev server being on site.

Thanks all

[TechMonkey]

Glad you got it sorted.