Information: Common Questions
What happened to the old license structure situation?
In 2007 InternetBrands.com (NASDEQ:INET) acquired Jelsoft Enterprises Limited (maker of the vBulletin products).
The vBulletin products are now sold under subsidiary vBulletin Solution Incorporated in the US.
As natural evolution, and with the introduction of new version 4, the license structure has been updated.Can I download vBulletin 4 after my purchase has completed?
The latest stable release for vBulletin is 3.8.4 PL1.
This will be the version you will currently be able to download.
The version 4 is in pre-order and not yet downloadable.Can I download vBulletin Blog after my purchase of the Publishing Suite has completed?
The latest stable release for the vBulletin Blog addon is 2.0.2.
It appears you won't be able to download this, or a newer version, until version 4 gets released.
The version 4 is in pre-order and not yet downloadable.What is the release date for vBulletin version 4?
This is currently unknown. There is no date released to the public.
Version 4 is currently in "private alpha/beta testing",
and getting closer to release. Our guess is: Q4 2009.But, I can still use my current license right?
Yes, but please see below for details. The EULA you last agreed to is still in effect.
You do not have to stop using your instance, you can keep running it indefinitely (old owned license type),
But please notice that the leased license type has disappeared, and is valid until it's expiry date.Explain please why the renewal option and expiry date are gone?
The new license type isn't on a renewal basis, but is valid for the lifetime of the branch version.
This means it expires when a new branch version is released. And therefor no longer has an expiry date.
After expiry date you can keep running your instance, but aren't eligible for updates/upgrades/support.
Situation: I do not own a single vBulletin license.
I just want the forum, what is it going to cost me?
The vBulletin 4 Forum License is USD $195.
This will get you only the forum, not the blog or cms.
There is no sale or introduction price for the vBulletin 4 Forum License.I want everything, what is it going to cost me?
The vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License is going to cost USD $285.
But is currently on pre-order sale for USD $235 until October 30th, 2009.
This will get you the Forum, the Blog, and the CMS.
Situation: I have an active owned license
Do I have to upgrade to the new vBulletin 4 Forum License to get Forum version 4?
Not if your license is active on the date that Forum version 4 gets released.
If you expect it to be expired by then, we recommend to make use of the current pre-order sale.
If you want the CMS and/or the Blog, you will have to upgrade to the vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License.I just want the vBulletin Forum version 4, what is it going to cost me?
The vBulletin 4 Forum Classic License Upgrade costs USD $0. It is not on pre-order sale.
Please note: Support/Updates/Upgrades/Security Patches, etc are available until expiry date of old owned license.
If you want the CMS and/or the Blog, you will have to choose the vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License.I want everything (Forum, the Blog, and the CMS.), what is it going to cost me?
The vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License Upgrade is going to cost USD $250.
But is currently on pre-order sale to active owned license holders for USD $130 until October 30th, 2009.
This will get you the Forum, the Blog, and the CMS.
Situation: I have an expired owned license
Do I have to upgrade to the new vBulletin 4 Forum License structure to get Forum version 4?
Yes, if your license is expired when version 4 is released, you will have to upgrade your license to version 4.
If you expect it to be expired by then, and want the vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License upgrade, then I recommend
to make use of the current pre-order sale (ending October 30th, 2009.) (no pre-sale for "Forum" license.).I just want the vBulletin Forum Classic version 4, what is it going to cost me?
The vBulletin 4 Forum Classic License Upgrade costs approximately USD $175 (not on sale!) (price subject to change).
The new license system does not have a renewal/expiry date, it's valid for the lifetime of the license.
If you want the CMS and/or the Blog, you will have to choose the vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License.I want everything (Forum, the Blog, and the CMS), what is it going to cost me?
The vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License Upgrade costs USD $190. If it has expired in the last 12 months,
and costs USD $210 if expired more than 12 months ago. Current pre-order sale is valid until October 30th, 2009.
The vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License Upgrade costs USD $285 beginning October 31st 2009.
Situation: I have an active leased license
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Situation: I have an expired leased license
Expired in the last 12 months, can I upgrade to the suite?
Yes, if you have an expired leased license that expired in the last 12 months,
you can upgrade to the vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite License structure for USD $190 (until October 30th, 2009).
Beginning on October 31, the price will be $285 for the suite. (A new license)Expired in more than 12 months ago, can I upgrade to the suite?
Yes, if you have an expired leased license that expired in more than 12 months ago,
you can upgrade to the vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite for USD $210 (until October 30th, 2009).
Beginning on October 31, the price will be $285 for the suite. (A new license.)What if I just want the Forum Classic, and not the whole Publishing Suite?
There is no pre-order sale for the vBulletin 4 Forum Classic License structure.
Once your leased license has expired your current contract does not allow you to keep it running.
You have to either buy the Forum Classic or the Publishing Suite license, or remove it from your servers.
Information: Support
Will I get support with my vBulletin 4 Forum Classic license?
Yes, you are eligible for support as long as your license is active.
Support tickets are free for the first 30 days, afterwards: USD $80/year.
Support via the support forums is free for the lifetime of the license.
Please note: Support/Updates/Upgrades/Security Patches, etc are available until expiry date of old owned license.
So if you have active owned, upgrade to forum classic, owned expires, need to upgrade for $unknown.Will I get support with my vBulletin 4 Publishing Suite license?
Yes, you are eligible for support as long as your license is active.
Support tickets are free for the lifetime of the license.
Support via the support forums is free for the lifetime of the license.What about End Of Life product versions?
You will get full support for the latest stable build of vBulletin products (as long as you are eligible for it).
End Of Life announced vBulletin products are recommended to be upgraded to the latest stable to get full support.
vBulletin Solutions Inc. has a Support Schedule: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=320185.
Information: I have more questions!
Is there perhaps an FAQ that I can read?
Certainly, the official FAQ by vBulletin.com can be found here:
http://www.vbulletin.com/index.php?do=faq
If you still have a question, I recommend to open a sales or support ticket.I have more questions as a customer, how do I ask them?
Preferred method: http://www.vbulletin.com/members/membersupport_contactform.php
Not preferred: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=47 (pre-sales forum)
vBulletin Support Team is quite busy during October, please allow them some time to follow up to your questions.I have more questions as potential customer, how do I ask them?
Preferred method: sales@vbulletin.com
Not preferred: http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=47 (pre-sales forum)
Not preferred: Sales enquiries: 1-877-326-6444 (toll-free US/Canada only) 9am to 5pm Pacific (GMT -8), Mon-Fri.Is there perhaps an unofficial FAQ like this one, that I can read?
Certainly, the unofficial FAQ on vBulletin.com can be found here:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321090
Fair warning, just like this page, that faq is not an official one, data is subject to change, perhaps even wrong.