More info on the runtime, from
this page on the MS site:
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For Access 2003, the Access runtime software is shipped with the Microsoft Office Access 2003 retail product, and the royalty-free Access runtime license is a component of the Access 2003 Developer Extensions. Even though the runtime software is included in the Microsoft Office Access 2003 retail product, the right to distribute the runtime is not included. You must purchase the Access 2003 Developer Extensions to obtain a royalty-free license to package and distribute the runtime.
The Access 2003 Developer Extensions combines the tools and resources you need to create, test, and deploy Access solutions. For instance, the extensions include:
- The royalty-free Access 2003 runtime license that allows you to use and distribute an unlimited number of copies of the runtime packaged with your solution.
- The Package Wizard, which helps you create professional installation packages for your custom solutions.
- The Custom Startup Wizard, which helps automate the procedure of quickly creating a final version of your database with a customized set of startup settings.
- The Property Scanner, which lets you easily locate all occurrences of a string so that you can make global changes.
- The complete Microsoft Visual Basic® for Applications (VBA) source code for the Package Wizard, Custom Start Wizard, and Property Scanner, and a royalty-free license that gives you the right to employ that source code in your own solutions.
For more information about the Access 2003 Developer Extensions, see
Build with Access 2003 Developer Extensions. The Access 2003 Developer Extensions is not available as a stand-alone product, but is included in your Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Universal subscription, if you have one. The Access 2003 Developer Extensions also ships with the Microsoft Visual Studio® Tools for the Microsoft Office System — a suite of tools that provide technologies that help you build the next generation of solutions for the Microsoft Office System.
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So, yes the runtime is freely available. But you have to pay for the right to distribute databases using it.
Denis