– Net Express required a per‑seat commercial license. No free or open‑source version was ever released. Post‑discontinuation, the software is legally abandonware , but the copyright holder (OpenText) has not granted public redistribution rights.
Old Micro Focus customers might have access to the portal (now OpenText My Support). Search for "Net Express 5.1" under Downloads. Access is granted only to accounts with active or recent maintenance. microfocus cobol net express 5.1 download
Sites like eBay sometimes sell original Net Express 5.1 CDs with licenses. Ensure the seller includes the original license key and documentation. These are physical copies, not downloads. – Net Express required a per‑seat commercial license