What is a software license?A software license is a document that provides legally binding guidelines for the use and distribution of software. Show
Software licenses typically provide end users with the right to one or more copies of the software without violating copyrights. The license also defines the responsibilities of the parties entering into the license agreement and may impose restrictions on how the software can be used. Software licensing terms and conditions usually include fair use of the software, the limitations of liability, warranties and disclaimers. They also specify protections if the software or its use infringes on the intellectual property rights of others. Software licenses typically are proprietary, free or open source. The distinguishing feature is the terms under which users may redistribute or copy the software for future development or use. How do software licenses work?A software license is a document that states the rights of the developer and user of a piece of software. It defines how the software can be used and how it will be paid for. The following are some examples of specifications a license might include:
Licenses typically are expressed as an end-user license agreement or an enterprise license agreement. The license is a contract between the user or user organization and the developer. It defines the terms of the license. A user must agree to the terms of the license when acquiring the software. Software also comes with a license key or product key. The key is used to identify and verify the specific version of the software. It is also used to activate the software on a specific computer or device.
Why software licenses are importantA software license establishes the rights of all parties involved with the software: the author, the provider and the end users. It defines the relationship between the software company and users and explains how they are protected. How license agreements protect developers
How license agreements protect users
What are the different types of software licenses?There are two general types of software licenses that differ based on how they are viewed under copyright law.
A more detailed list includes five types of software licenses. It makes finer distinctions among various types of open source licenses and proprietary licenses. This list includes the following:
How much does a software license cost?The cost of a software license depends on the type of license, the type of software and the pricing model. There may be a one-time fee that gives the user ownership rights to the software program. This approach is considered the traditional way of owning software -- buying the license up front and gaining the rights to use the software indefinitely. This type of purchase agreement is known as a perpetual license. Alternatively, the user may pay an initial fee followed by a subscription plan where payment is made at regular intervals. License costs are often based on the number of users and devices that use the software. They may also depend on the software deployment method. Costs can increase with add-ons, upgrades, maintenance fees and other fees. Depending on these factors, software license costs can vary from free or nearly so, to many thousands of dollars. Tracking software licenses and costs can be particularly difficult across virtualized servers, mobile devices and the cloud operations. What does a software license agreement include?End-user license agreements typically include basic information about the parties entering the agreement, such as full names of the parties involved, contact information and address of the parties. It also likely includes information on the following:
Software licensing and the pandemicThe COVID-19 pandemic underscored some of the more serious challenges involved in managing software licenses. Many companies were not prepared for the sudden increase in demand for software licenses when their workforces went remote. They needed additional licenses for web conferencing, messaging and communications software. They also needed quick access to more security software licenses. For many companies, this unexpected demand and expense meant they had to get creative in their approach to software licensing. Buying everyone a license for every application was not always the best answer. Instead, some organizations opted to buy licenses according to an employee's function. They also looked at shared license models, setting up portals where employees can request licenses as needed. This was last updated in October 2021 Continue Reading About software license
Dig Deeper on IT applications, infrastructure and operations
Are copyrighted and provided at no cost but the developer retains all rights to the product?Freeware is copyrighted software that is available at no cost for unlimited usage. The developer retains all rights to the program and controls distribution.
Which type of software is copyrighted and provided at no cost through developer retains all rights to program quizlet?Open source is a type of program and app that is copyrighted and provided at no cost, but the developer retains all rights to the product.
What is software that is available for use at no cost but usually has some restricted usage rights?Freeware is software that is available for use at no monetary cost or for an optional fee, but usually (although not necessarily) closed source with one or more restricted usage rights.
Which type of software is copyrighted and distributed for free for a trial period?Shareware is software that is distributed on a trial basis with the understanding by the users of the software that there may be a small charge by the author to continue to use it.
|