Yes

That's what I thought but Sage Tech Support said that if F9 is not using API to access the database then its a license violation.

This is the first I have heard of such a notion.

Which license is being violated?

I don't recall anything in Sage's license that prohibits read access to the data outside using their API.

The licensing of the SQL Server runtime Edition.  

But i have a feeling this is just a personal opinion of the Analyst i talked to yesterday.  I am hoping to get a clarification from Sage through this Forum because with SQL being the only supported database going forward, we will probably get a lot of interest in buying the SQL Server runtime Edition of Sage.  i tried to look for a licensing documentation of the Runtime Edition but i can't find any.  The only document i have is an internal FAQ that says:

"The bundled Microsoft SQL Server has restricted use rights in that it can only be used for Sage 300 ERP and its related applications. You cannot use the bundled Microsoft SQL Server version for standalone, non-Sage 300 ERP applications."

I am having a hard time interpreting it.. on one hand, i can say that F9 is a Sage 300 ERP related application since it reads the Sage 300 ERP databases...  on the other hand, i can also say that it is a non-Sage 300 ERP application...

If you want clarification from Sage then you will have to contact them directly - this is a public end user forum.

There ain't no such thing as "SQL Server runtime Edition".

F9 is a Sage 300 ERP related application - you cannot run F9 standalone. I suppose you could but it would

not make any sense.

Don't overthink it......

Ettienne, depends on the region, in Australia Sage sells a "SQL Server runtime Edition".