'Hermetic Systems' is the business name of Peter Meyer, support@hermetic.ch, the developer of this software, and the owner and maintainer of the 'Hermetic Systems' website.

The 'Stego PNG' software ("the Software") consists of the executable file and the other files installed by the installation program stpng_setup.exe obtainable from the 'Hermetic Systems' website (including any future versions).

The Software is protected by copyright, which is owned by Hermetic Systems. The Software may be downloaded from the 'Hermetic Systems' website or another authorized download site solely for the purpose of its evaluation with regard to the purchase of a user license. Neither the installation program nor any work derived from it may be distributed further by any means (including via CD or the web) without the permission of the copyright holder.

All intellectual property rights related to the Software are owned by Hermetic Systems. You may not rent or lease the Software. You may not modify, translate, reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the Software or any part thereof or otherwise attempt to derive source code or create derivative works therefrom. You may not remove, alter or destroy any proprietary, trademark or copyright markings or notices contained within the Software. You may not sell or offer for sale any derivative work. Any rights not explicitly granted by Hermetic Systems are reserved.

In return for a license fee paid to Hermetic Systems or to one of its authorized representatives or resellers you are granted a license to use the Software in its fully-functional form and you are provided with activation keys for each installation of the Software as follows:

(A) If you are a natural person then you receive a single-user license and this entitles you to install, activate and use the Software on a reasonable number of personal computers (e.g., a laptop and a desktop) in your private household or office.

(B) If you are an entity other than a natural person (e.g., a corporation) then you are required to purchase a number of single-user licenses equal to the maximum number of persons who will be using the software at any one time.

The function of an activation key is to remove any temporal or functional limitations on a particular installation of the Software. A separate activation key is required for each installation (in other words, an activation key works only on a particular computer).

For some programs there are three types of user license: 3-month, 1-year and time-unlimited (a 'perpetual' license). 3-month and 1-year licenses allow use of the software for the stated period beginning on the date of purchase of the license. At the termination of the license period the software will revert to a functionally limited 'demo' version. It may be reactivated by purchasing a new license.

In the event that a later version of the software is released, you may update an installation at no charge by downloading and installing the new version.

If you change your computer (or make a major hardware modification) you may need to obtain a new activation key. This can be obtained in the same way as before (and at no charge), provided that, in the opinion of Hermetic Systems, the number and frequency of such new activation keys is not unreasonably excessive.

A user license is not transferable.

Installation of the Software constitutes an agreement that the Software is provided "as is", without any warranties or guarantees. Hermetic Systems makes every effort to ensure that the software is error-free and performs as stated in the online user manual, but does not guarantee this. You assume responsibility for selecting the Software and using it for your intended purposes. In no event shall Hermetic Systems, its resellers or distributors of the Software be liable for any any damages whatsoever arising out of use or inability to use the Software, even if advised of the possibiity of such damages.

Note that data encrypted using Stego PNG cannot be decrypted without knowledge of the encryption key which was used to encrypt the data. Stego PNG has no 'back door'. The encryption key is not concealed in the stego image file or anywhere else. If the encryption key is lost or is unavailable then there is no way known to recover the encrypted data. This software must be used with due attention to this warning. Hermetic Systems will not be responsible for damages of any kind arising from loss of data resulting from forgetting or losing stego/encryption keys. Encrypting information is like using a padlock to lock a box -- when encrypting data always make sure that you can find the key when you need it.