Licensing

RAL colours in other software products: Acquisition of license or RAL DIGITAL support

Once in a while we are asked by other software manufacturers if they could include the RAL colours in their own projects. Basically there are two options:

• On the one hand a palette format for which we would provide the palette with RAL DIGITAL.

• On the other hand an integration of RAL coloursby acquiring a license from RAL is also possible.

We are amenable to both solutions and will support your planned project!

Integration via RAL DIGITAL

This way software manufacturers can provide the RAL colours free of charge in their software when the customer requests it and buys the RAL DIGITAL package.

At first you have to define a palette format. This can be easily done by giving each colour one text row in the form of „colour name[tab]Red[tab]Green[tab]Blue“. It can also be available in binary or encrypted form and should include the colour names and RGB-colour values. Further information for the output device can be included in the header.

We develop the palettes in your defined form and pack them on the RAL DIGITAL CD, including an explanation for installation and application and further information.

It is reasonable to include a notice in the delivered external programme that RAL palettes are available perhaps even including a demo-palette of RAL CLASSIC and RAL DESIGN.

Acquiring a license

... offers the following advantages:

• By including RAL CLASSIC and RAL DESIGN you are integrating two of the leading german colour systems in your product. Finally not only American or fantasy systems are included – a real product advantage compared to the cometition.

• The quality of the colour values fit. The colours were changed in extensive measuring progressions and with the usage of handiwork and spectralphotometric measurments in RGB and CMYK values.

• For which devices should the correct colour values be included? sRGB (Standard RGB from HP/Microsoft) is the most general variation of monitors, printers, TFTs, plotters and so on. But approx. 90 other output variations are also available (for example HP Design Jet 750C, Trinitron, offset art print, ...).

• Advertise your product with the reputation of the RAL Deutsches Institut für Gütesicherung und Kennzeichnung e.V. and the RAL logo. The word „Gütesicherung“ alone is worth a lot of money.

Important integral parts of the contract

The legal department of RAL worked out a licensing agreement that is adapted to the various possible conditions.Here are some of the important parts:

• The software has to include a notice on the colour quality on monitors and printers.

• Duration: normally a two year duration, automatic extension for a further time frame.

• Cancellation possible at the end of the current time frame.

• The license applies world wide or for certain countries depending on the agreement.

• The licensee is not allowed to give licenses to other software manufacturers.

• Normally a fixed license fee is to be paid yearly, which is measured by the distributed quantity.

The contract consists of several pages which address several contingencies with german thoroughness and in a fair form: for example what happens after insolvency or death of the licensee?

... and the costs?

RAL earns no winnings as a charitable association. It uses all income in statutory form, that means for the continuation and ensurance of colour standards. Due to this the licensing fees are not nearly as high as with other colour systems (HKS, Pantone, NCS,...), which are organised in the private sector.

An example: A programme that is distributed in greater quantities and for which a RAL Update is offered via download, was defined with a licensing fee of 7,650 Euros for each year. 15.000 installations equal a quantity license fee of 0.51 EUR. Smaller software distributors (for example 200 pieces a year) pay higher quantity license fees (for example 1.30 EUR) and a yearly fixed amount which covers the administration expense (300 EUR).

Well known licensees

Several software manufacturers integrated the RAL colours with a license in their own programms.