VMware updated its legal terms to allow users to ship the Linux version of VMware Tools with their virtual appliances.  Interesting, and too bad, that it is restricted to the Linux Tools and not opened up and allowed for Windows.

NOTICE:

Effective immediately, VMware has modified its current policy with regard to VMware Tools as follows:

Subject to your compliance with the VMware Master END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT, the restriction in Section 3.5 of the VMWARE MASTER END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT prohibiting distribution of the VMware Tools to third parties is applicable only to the Windows version of VMware Tools and NOT to the Linux version of VMware Tools. You may distribute the Linux version of VMware Tools to third parties in object code format only and solely in conjunction with, and as part of, the Virtual Machine you create with the Software.

Unless otherwise modified herein, the remaining terms of the VMWARE MASTER END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT shall remain in full force and effect and in the event of a conflict, the terms in this notice shall control.

This policy change will also be reflected in the next release version of the VMWARE MASTER END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT.