How do you compare and contrast different types of software licenses?

1 Proprietary vs. Open Source

Proprietary software licenses grant exclusive rights to the software owner or developer, who can control how the software is used, distributed, and modified. Users typically have to pay a fee or accept certain restrictions to access the software. Examples of proprietary software licenses include Microsoft Windows, Adobe Photoshop, and Oracle Database. Open source software licenses, on the other hand, allow anyone to use, distribute, and modify the software for free, as long as they comply with the license terms. Examples of open source software licenses include GNU General Public License (GPL), Apache License, and MIT License.

2 Permissive vs. Copyleft

Permissive and copyleft are two subcategories of open source software licenses that differ in how they regulate the redistribution and modification of the software. Permissive licenses are more flexible and allow users to incorporate the software into proprietary or closed-source projects, without requiring them to share their changes or source code. Examples of permissive licenses include MIT License, BSD License, and Apache License. Copyleft licenses are more restrictive and require users to share their changes and source code under the same or compatible license, if they distribute or modify the software. Examples of copyleft licenses include GPL, LGPL, and Mozilla Public License.

3 Subscription vs. Perpetual

Subscription and perpetual are two types of licensing models that affect the duration and cost of using the software. Subscription licenses allow users to access the software for a limited period of time, usually on a monthly or annual basis, in exchange for a recurring fee. Users have to renew their subscription to continue using the software and receive updates and support. Examples of subscription-based software include Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Netflix. Perpetual licenses allow users to access the software indefinitely, after paying a one-time fee. Users can use the software as long as they want, but they may have to pay extra for updates and support. Examples of perpetual-based software include Microsoft Office 2019, Adobe Photoshop CS6, and Minecraft.

4 Site vs. User

Site and user are two types of licensing scopes that affect the number and location of users who can use the software. Site licenses allow users to install and use the software on multiple devices within a specific location, such as an office, a campus, or a home. Users can share the software with other users within the same site, without paying extra fees. Examples of site-licensed software include Microsoft Windows Server, Adobe Acrobat Pro, and MATLAB. User licenses allow users to install and use the software on a single device or a limited number of devices, depending on the license terms. Users cannot share the software with other users, unless they purchase additional licenses. Examples of user-licensed software include Microsoft Windows 10, Adobe Photoshop Elements, and Spotify.

5 EULA vs. SLA

EULA and SLA are two types of legal documents that accompany software licenses and specify the terms and conditions of using the software. EULA stands for End User License Agreement and is a contract between the software owner or developer and the end user. It defines the rights and obligations of both parties, such as the license scope, duration, fee, warranty, liability, and termination. EULA typically applies to desktop, mobile, or web-based software that users download or install on their devices. SLA stands for Service Level Agreement and is a contract between the software provider and the customer. It defines the quality and availability of the software service, such as the performance, uptime, downtime, security, backup, and support. SLA typically applies to cloud-based or online software that users access through a web browser or an app.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?