VisaMcp - License Agreement and Disclaimer
==========================================

Copyright (C) 2026 Gossner Electronics & Embedded Systems GmbH,
Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany. All rights reserved.
https://www.gpibee.com

Please read this text before using VisaMcp. By installing, starting or
otherwise using VisaMcp you accept these terms. If you do not accept them,
do not use the software.


1. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
--------------------------

VisaMcp allows an artificial intelligence (AI), such as Claude or another
MCP client, to send commands to real, physical instruments: power supplies,
electronic loads, signal and RF generators, source measure units,
oscilloscopes, analyzers and any other device reachable through VISA, GPIB,
LAN, USB or serial interfaces.

AI systems make mistakes. They can misunderstand a request, pick the wrong
instrument or address, use a wrong unit or number format, rely on wrong or
outdated information (including the built-in instrument knowledge base), or
act differently than you expect. Among other things, commands sent through
VisaMcp can:

  - set voltages, currents, power levels, RF output levels, frequencies or
    temperatures that are too high for the connected equipment,
  - switch outputs on unexpectedly, or switch off protections and limits,
  - reset instruments (for example with *RST) to states in which outputs
    or settings change,
  - overwrite or delete stored setups, files, calibration or user data,
  - start long, repeated or unattended operations.

This can destroy or damage instruments, devices under test, connected
circuits and other property, cause fire, electric shock or injury, and lead
to loss of data or measurement results.

You alone are responsible for the setup you control with VisaMcp. In
particular:

  - Supervise every session. Review the commands the AI proposes before you
    approve them, and do not configure your AI client to approve instrument
    commands automatically.
  - Protect your equipment independently of the software: use the hardware
    limits of your instruments (voltage and current limits, OVP/OCP, output
    level limits), fuses, attenuators and current-limited supplies.
  - Disconnect valuable or sensitive devices under test while you try new
    commands or workflows.
  - Back up instrument settings, files and calibration data before use.
  - Follow the safety instructions and manuals of your instruments and the
    applicable safety regulations.
  - Do not use VisaMcp with hazardous voltages or energies without the
    appropriate safety measures, and never in safety-relevant applications,
    in life-support or medical equipment, in unattended operation where a
    fault can endanger people or property, or in any application where a
    failure of the software can cause personal injury.


2. LICENSE
----------

2.1 VisaMcp is provided free of charge. Gossner Electronics & Embedded
    Systems GmbH ("Licensor") grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable,
    revocable right to use VisaMcp for private and commercial purposes.

2.2 You may pass on unmodified copies of the complete, original distribution
    package (including this text) free of charge. Selling, renting or
    bundling VisaMcp with paid products requires the Licensor's prior
    written permission.

2.3 All rights not expressly granted remain with the Licensor.


3. INSTRUMENT KNOWLEDGE BASE
----------------------------

3.1 VisaMcp contains an instrument knowledge base with technical facts
    about measurement instruments (for example remote commands, interface
    settings, addresses and identification strings). It was compiled from
    publicly available information, such as manuals, application notes,
    web pages and forum posts, and from own tests. The information was
    summarised in own words; command syntax is quoted only where it is
    needed to control an instrument. Each entry names its sources.

3.2 The Licensor claims no rights in the knowledge base content and places
    no restrictions on its use.

3.3 The knowledge base serves only to help users operate their own
    instruments together with other products (interoperability). It does
    not replace the manufacturers' documentation. The cited documents
    remain the property of their authors; the knowledge base does not
    contain or distribute them.

3.4 Manufacturer, product and model names are used only to identify the
    instruments described. They may be trademarks of their respective
    owners. The Licensor is not affiliated with, authorised, sponsored or
    endorsed by any of these manufacturers, and no entry is an official
    statement of a manufacturer.

3.5 The knowledge base may be incomplete, outdated or wrong (see sections 1
    and 4). Confidence levels are indications only.

3.6 If you are a rights holder and believe that an entry infringes your
    rights, or that information about your products is wrong, please
    contact the Licensor via https://www.gpibee.com. The entry will be
    checked promptly and, if justified, corrected or removed in the next
    release.


4. NO WARRANTY
--------------

VisaMcp 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, correctness, compatibility with specific
instruments, VISA implementations or AI clients, and uninterrupted or
error-free operation.

The built-in instrument knowledge base and the guidance given to the AI are
collected from manuals, third-party sources and assumptions. They may be
incomplete, outdated or wrong. Confidence levels shown for this information
are indications only, not guarantees.


5. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
--------------------------

5.1 To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Licensor is not
    liable for any damage arising from the use of, or the inability to use,
    VisaMcp, including damage to instruments, devices under test or other
    property, loss of data, loss of profit, downtime or consequential
    damage, regardless of the legal grounds.

5.2 As VisaMcp is provided free of charge, the Licensor is liable only for
    intent and gross negligence.

5.3 Nothing in these terms limits liability for injury to life, body or
    health caused by the Licensor, liability under the German Product
    Liability Act (Produkthaftungsgesetz), liability for fraudulently
    concealed defects, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or
    limited by law.


6. THIRD-PARTY PRODUCTS AND DATA
--------------------------------

VisaMcp works with third-party software and services, for example VISA
libraries (NI-VISA, Keysight IO Libraries Suite, R&S VISA) and AI clients
and services (for example Claude by Anthropic). Their own license terms and
privacy policies apply. The Licensor is not affiliated with these companies
and is not responsible for their products. All product names and trademarks
belong to their respective owners.

VisaMcp runs locally on your computer and sends no data to the Licensor.
Data that your AI client transmits to an AI service (for example measurement
results, screenshots or instrument identifications) is processed under the
terms of that service.


7. GENERAL
----------

7.1 These terms are governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany,
    excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of
    Goods (CISG). Mandatory consumer protection rules of the country in
    which you have your habitual residence remain unaffected.

7.2 If you are a merchant, a legal entity under public law or a special fund
    under public law, the place of jurisdiction is the registered office of
    the Licensor.

7.3 Should any provision of these terms be or become invalid, the validity
    of the remaining provisions remains unaffected.
