License clarification (sorry another one).

[johnlon]

I am considering using SmartGWT on a project.
The deliverable is a client facing website (i.e. not intranet) application.

Do I (or the client) need a license or is the LGPL distro sufficient for my needs (I don't need smart server integration)?

Does my client facing site need to carry a a disclosure that the system uses SmartGWT/SmartClient and/or any references to LGPL?

Is there a screen building IDE for SmartGWT? (eg like Instantiations for basic GWT)

Assuming I don't need the server side stuff - what benefits or permissions might I gain by acquiring a license?

[Isomorphic]

The LGPL allows any kind of redistribution so long as changes to the core SmartClient code are made available free. There is no particular reason to modify SmartClient code as even complex enhancements can typically be achieved with external code. Only you can decide whether this works for you - there's a lot of public info on the LGPL.

The LGPL does not require that you add a disclosure that you are using SmartGWT.

See the blog post about SmartGWT EE and specifically Visual Builder for SmartGWT EE. This will also help you understand what you're missing by not using the server :)

[Isomorphic]

A further note: there are a number of larger institutions that require that a typical commercial license be obtained for any open source software (LGPL or other), because from a risk management perspective it's better for them to simply buy a license that clearly puts risk on the vendor rather than worry about frivolous patent lawsuits, bogus IP claims, or other risks. To sell to or work with these companies you may need a commercial license.