Free Software, A Variant of the Engineering Assistance case
The same user posted this case, which seems to be a variant of "Engineering Assistance" and so may best be discussed in the same discussion:
Free Software
Manufacturer X advertises that it will provide engineering design software to engineers for their use in designing a specific building piping system. The manufacturer sells components that are part of these systems. The manufacturer states in their literature that their component(s) comply with national standards and their performance characteristics are published.However, the manufacturer makes their offer for the free software on the condition that only their product is specified. Engineer Y, looking for just this type of software design tool, is tempted to conact the manufacturer.
A. Would it be ethical for Engineer Y to accept this free software on the condition that he specify only the manufacturer's product at the exclusion of all other equal products meeting the same national standard?