http://www.informix-zone.com/node/161

"A friend of mine is currently developing a new software package. He
started using the free IDS version from the IIUG. But he wants to
distribute his software for free and earn money for services around
it. "

this may be alost opportunity for this man's friend but where is the
opportunity for IBM? What is the "upsell"? How does this seed the
market rather than just deliver loads of free informix which would
mean no $$ for continued investment in development. Unlike MySQL, IDS
is not being developed for free by a load of researchers.

If your free was allowed to distribute SE for free and if his
customers wanted the robustness of IDS then there is some upsell
opportunity.