Circle Web Smart Card Service License Agreement
Version 1.0, Effective Date: April 1, 2025
Copyright © 2025-2026, AB Circle Limited. All rights reserved.

Preamble
Circle Web Smart Card Service ("the Software") is a proprietary software library developed by AB Circle Limited ("the Licensor"). The Software is provided under this License Agreement ("the License") to ensure controlled use while acknowledging the inspiration drawn from the open-source community, specifically the pyscard library and the Python programming language. This License does not grant open-source rights but instead imposes restrictions to protect the proprietary nature of the Software.

1. Definitions
"Software": Refers to Circle Web Smart Card Service, including all executable files, source code (if provided), documentation, and associated materials.

"Licensee": The individual or entity entering into this License with the Licensor.

"pyscard": An open-source Python library for smart card interfacing, licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), which has influenced the development of this Software.

"Python": The Python programming language, developed by the Python Software Foundation, under the Python Software Foundation License.

2. Grant of License
Subject to the terms and conditions of this License, the Licensor grants the Licensee a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to:
Use the Software for internal, personal, or commercial purposes on a single computer or device.

Access the Software solely as provided by the Licensor, without rights to modify, reverse-engineer, or redistribute it unless explicitly authorized in writing by the Licensor.

3. Restrictions
The Licensee shall not:
Copy, distribute, sublicense, or sell the Software, in whole or in part, except as expressly permitted by the Licensor.

Modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works based on the Software.

Decompile, disassemble, or reverse-engineer the Software, except to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Remove or alter any copyright notices, trademarks, or acknowledgments within the Software.

4. Acknowledgment of Inspiration
The Licensor acknowledges that the development of the Software was inspired by the open-source pyscard library and the Python programming language. Specifically:
pyscard: Credit is given to the pyscard project (https://pyscard.sourceforge.io/), licensed under the GNU LGPL, for its contributions to smart card interfacing concepts that informed this Software.

Python: Credit is given to the Python Software Foundation (https://www.python.org/) for creating Python, a language whose flexibility and ecosystem supported the Software’s development.
This acknowledgment does not imply that the Software incorporates pyscard or Python code directly, nor does it place the Software under their respective licenses. The Software remains proprietary.

5. Ownership
The Software is the sole property of the Licensor. All rights, title, and interest, including intellectual property rights, remain with the Licensor. The Licensee acquires no ownership rights through this License.

6. Warranty Disclaimer
The Software is provided "AS IS" without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement. The Licensor does not guarantee that the Software will meet the Licensee’s requirements or operate without interruption or error.

7. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Licensor shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from the use or inability to use the Software, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

8. Termination
This License is effective until terminated. The Licensor may terminate this License immediately if the Licensee breaches any term herein. Upon termination, the Licensee must cease all use of the Software and destroy all copies in their possession.

9. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

10. Entire Agreement
This License constitutes the entire agreement between the Licensor and Licensee regarding the Software and supersedes all prior agreements or understandings, written or oral.

Contact Information
For questions or permissions regarding this License, contact:
AB Circle Limited
E-mail: info@abcircle.com
