A software licensing agreement is a legal agreement that any user of a computer software has to accept and adhere to.
What is a software license?
A license is a legal permission to use the software created by a company that permits the user who gains it to use it according to the guidelines laid down by the company.
Ex: If you want to play a game say Need for Speed most wanted, you need to buy a legit CD from a retailer and install it in your computer. By doing so, you are obtaining a legal license to use the game/software
Do all software need licenses?
No. There are a lot of freewares available in the internet where the owners of the software allow users to use them freely. However, in case of copyrighted products, a license is a must.
Why do we need a license?
Any company, that creates a software would incur some expenses in creating the product. As a result, they sell it to the public to cover the cost and also to make a profit. By purchasing a legally licensed copy of the software, you are paying the due fees to the software creator so that his business can run fine.
Ex: When you buy a new laptop you would need an Operating System for it. If you buy an original Windows 7 CD by paying some XX USD, you are buying a license to use the software in your computer
What are the restrictions in a licensing agreement?
The restrictions applicable in a software license are always mentioned clearly in a document that comes with the software. Usually it will say something like:
This means that - you can use it in 2 personal computers (not business computers in your office) and you cannot sell the software to anyone.
Usually the prices of software licenses for home/personal use are cheaper than the price at which they are sold to businesses and hence they add such a clause in the software that is sold in retail shops.
What if we dont follow the licensing agreements?
Breaking a software licensing agreement is a crime and the creator of the software can legally prosecute you. For example, if you buy a PC game and give it to 10 of your friends (when the CD says for use with at max 2 PC's) you are violating the terms of the license and the game creator can sue you. They will do so because, they could have sold 4 more copies of the game if you had not illegally distributed the game to your friends.
A point to note here is that, most companies have means and ways to identify such illegal distribution of their software and can track offenders who do so.
sub-licensing agreements
The term used to describe using software illegally is "software piracy." This refers to the unauthorized copying, distribution, or use of software, violating copyright laws and licensing agreements. Software piracy can include downloading pirated software from the internet, sharing it without permission, or using cracked versions that bypass licensing protection.
A SAM test, or Software Asset Management test, is an assessment that evaluates an organization's software usage, licensing compliance, and overall management of software assets. It helps identify unlicensed software, potential cost savings, and areas for improvement in software procurement and deployment processes. By conducting a SAM test, organizations can ensure they are adhering to licensing agreements and optimizing their software investments.
In IT, copyright most often applies to software, which can be protected by both copyright AND patent law. Most software-related copyright issues are addressed in detail in end user licensing agreements.
If you are talking about the MS Volume licensing by Microsoft, yes it is a form of software licensing that is indented for Microsoft software and operating systems.
Yes.
There are many great licensing software that are recommended. Some of the most recommended brands of licensing software include XPFlow and Dependable Rights.
Using a file server in a student lab raises several software licensing issues, primarily concerning compliance with end-user license agreements (EULAs). If software is installed on the server for multiple users, it must adhere to licensing terms that typically restrict the number of simultaneous users or require specific multi-user licenses. Additionally, unauthorized distribution or access to software could lead to violations and potential legal consequences. Institutions must ensure proper licensing to avoid penalties and maintain ethical standards in software usage.
Software rescission refers to the process of reversing or canceling a software transaction, often due to issues like non-compliance with licensing agreements, software defects, or failure to meet contractual obligations. It typically involves the withdrawal of the right to use the software and may include the return of fees paid. This can occur in various contexts, including end-user license agreements (EULAs) or vendor contracts, and aims to protect the rights of both the software provider and the user.
Duplicating a HASP dongle typically involves using specialized hardware and software tools designed for that purpose, which often raises legal and ethical concerns. The process may require reverse engineering and can violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements. It's important to note that unauthorized duplication of dongles is illegal and can lead to serious consequences. Always seek legal alternatives for software licensing.
Yes, it is illegal to use ERP software without proper licensing.
You can download the SETS 6000 software from the official website of the software provider or authorized distributors. It's important to ensure that you are downloading from a reputable source to avoid malware or outdated versions. Additionally, check if there are any specific system requirements or licensing agreements before downloading.