【 Types of Software Use License 】 List ▷ 2022

Whether you know it or not, every time you turn on your computing devices you start up a complex software system known as software. That being said, the next thing you should know is that, although they are intangible, these developments are protected by intellectual property laws, so you need a permit to use them.

That is why it is best to be aware of what the types of software licenses that exist, with which you make sure that you are always legally using the programs or applications that give life to your computer equipment.

In this installment we address the issue comprehensively, addressing points that will help you reach a better understanding on a matter we consider to be of great importance to all users.

What is a software use license and what is it for?

As we all know, anyone who invents or develops something new gets property rights through a patent. In this way, anyone who intends to use or commercially exploit the development, must have a inventor’s permission by contract.

Thus we have that a software use license is a contract between its developer and the user, in which it is established precisely how far the Rights and duties from both sides. Depending on the characteristics of each contract, with the use license the developer of the same can give permissions to distribution, use and even modification of the software developed by him.

Thus, a software use license serves the user, who in this case becomes the licensee in the contract, to make use legally of parts or all of a program developed by the licensor. Although in principle these licenses are usually seen as a form of protection for the developer, the user also benefits from guarantee clauses regarding the good performance of the software.

Free Software vs. Commercial Software Which is better and how are they different?

Although it is a topic of discussion above all at the corporate level, since the common user usually buys equipment with pre-installed software, the latter is within their rights to know the benefits they can obtain from each one. To achieve this, nothing better than knowing the definition and comparative between both options:

Free software advantages and disadvantages

Free software is understood to be one that allows users some freedom when using the program. This is in no way to be confused with freesince it is more about everything you can do accessing the source code once you have bought the development.

That is why software is said to be free to the extent that it complies with four basic characteristicssuch as the freedom of execution, modifications in the operation of the program, freedom to redistribute copies to whom or whom you want to help, or distribute copies that you have modified to others.

Let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages:

Advantage

• technological independence: When the user has permission to access the source code, they are able to achieve new developments without having to start from scratch
• Economy: The installation costs between this software and the commercial one are separated by a huge gap, something that medium-sized companies know very well and see great budget savings when they decide to implement free software
• Transparency: Given its characteristics, it can be said that each advance or innovation is shared by the entire user community
• Democratize the technological spectrumThis is because both institutions and people from all over the world can participate in the development and improvement of this software.
• Permanent support and compatibility: It has the property of being backwards compatible, also allowing the independence of the user, who does not need to periodically change technology

Disadvantages

• Absence of guarantees: No developer offers guarantees regarding its responsibility for the damages that it may cause to the hardware when you install it
• Requires more knowledge: Especially regarding the configuration of the operation of the operating system
• Little prior quality control: This makes constant monitoring necessary for error correction. Many users complain about the unreliability of exchanging text files

Trading software advantages and disadvantages

It is a type of software whose use license does not allow the user to access the source code. The companies that produce these developments do so in order to make a profit through their commercialization.

This they do setting constraints in the use, copy or modification of the software, charging money both for the product and for its distribution and everything that has to do with its technical support.

Take a look at the following points:

Advantage

• easy to acquire: In addition to the fact that it usually comes pre-installed with the purchase of computer devices, you always have one or many stores nearby where you can buy it
• Developed for specific tasks: Regardless of what you need it for, you will always find one designed to perform each specific task
• Better graphical interface: As a user you already know how important it is to work with a tool that transmits good sensations, with well-designed and friendly graphics. In this commercial software is ahead of everything else
• Greater hardware compatibility: In this way the elimination of errors is achieved when you execute the program, and at the same time you can be sure that the physical part will not suffer any damage for this concept
• Great media compatibility: This is well known to users who are constantly installing games on their computers.

Disadvantages

• They are not cross platform: This is a big drawback when users are migrating from one platform to another and have already bought a lot of apps from the first one. This is because both Windows and Apple manufacture their software for exclusive use on each other’s computers.
• higher cost: This is true for both the manufacturer and the user. The first is due to the large amount of resources invested in development and its updates; while the second is forced to pay a high cost every time he has to buy a package in stores
• Shorter expiration time: It is no secret to anyone that often a commercial software has not yet completely gone out of fashion, when another appears that promises better virtues. In this way, companies usually force users to buy the new one using some commercial trick.
• Total dependence on the manufacturer: This is because the manufacturer is the one in charge of developing and programming the software, and it is also the only one that can introduce updates when it considers it necessary, without the user being able to do anything about it

List of all types of licenses for the use of computer programs that exist

With what has been said so far, you must have understood that there are different types of software licenses, which also They are necessary so that as a user you can use the developments legally.

Now, our task is to bring you up to date. detailed way of each of these types of use license, especially in relation to do not confuse free software with free software, since some of the latter do not allow modifications or redistribution, as you will see below:

free

• : Although it is not free, it allows you to use, copy or distribute it, without restriction that the latter be done with the original version or with modifications made to it
• Copy left: In this type of license a copyright clause is introduced to explicitly establish under what conditions the user can copy, modify and/or redistribute the software
• GPL: It is a dedicated license, so to speak, that encompasses the software packages distributed by the GNU Project. It includes the Linux operating system
• Debian: Legally known as Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG), it is a contract where the rights acquired by the community of free software users are unequivocally stated
• BSD: Although it includes other programs, its main purpose is to legally cover software distributions from Berkeley Software Distribution
• x.org: It is a type of software distribution contract used by some large companies to distribute free software without committing to copyleft

Free

• : It is a license that allows the user to access a program for free, but in no case should it be confused with a free software license. This is because the developer takes care to establish restrictions to prevent access to the source code, and therefore the modification of the program by users.
• Trial or Demoware: In this case we are talking about a license that allows a program to be distributed free of charge for a period of time established in the contract. After that time, the user must pay to access the software registration key and install it on the same
• demo: Here are included the demo versions of different developments, which we can all access for free indefinitely. However, it never allows the use of all the resources and functions of the program, for which the full version must be purchased
• : It is a permission given by a developer for some applet to use their platform for commercial purposes in the form of advertising. With this, the user is forced to buy the paid versions of them, and thus avoid being flooded with all kinds of advertising.
• : Allows free access to programs that have few resources and functions

Protected and paid

• : This type of license allows the redistribution of the software, and the user must pay for its use. It is often confused with some free applications, since it also includes incomplete versions to be used without paying anything for a certain amount of time.
• Proprietary Software: As we know, the software is proprietary when the developer prohibits the modification, copying or redistribution of it. However, for a fee you can obtain permission to use, copy or redistribute it legally.
• commercial software: In a license that forces you to pay for all the actions you perform with the software, regardless of whether it is free or proprietary software
• postcardware: Although it may sound picturesque to you, it is a license granted by the developer under payment, only this time you must do it by sending cards or postcards
• : When you install a program that has this type of license, you can use it for free for a period of time, and after that you start receiving pop-up messages when you open or close the application. This in order to remind you that you must pay to continue using it

conditionals

• : It is a type of license that allows humanitarian organizations to request help from users to raise funds for charity
• Donationware: It is a type of license that…