Oftentimes, people will confuse owning software and getting a license to use it. The main difference between the two lies in the extent of control and rights you have over a software solution.
Software ownership
When you own software, you have complete control and ownership of the program, including its source code. You aren’t bound by any external limitations set by the developer.
As the owner, you have the right to use, modify, and distribute the software without any external restrictions. But you also have to maintain and support the software. You are responsible for updates, bug fixes, and user support.
Software licence
When you purchase a software license, you receive a license to use the software – you don’t own it. The software ownership belongs to whoever holds the copyright.
You are limited to the terms and conditions laid out by the license agreement, which might include issues like using the software on more than one device and whether or not you can create backup copies. Even some free software will be accompanied by a license, terms, and conditions of use that you are required to follow as a user.
Considering you don’t own it, making sense of the fine print on a software license agreement is worth your while. Because software products are protected with patents, not following the conditions of the license could have some serious consequences.
Accept the terms and conditions
Getting a license to use software might seem silly, but the point is to protect the publisher from their work being used illegally and to protect you from the consequences of infringing on a copyright. Pay attention to the terms and conditions of your software license. Avoiding those penalties is worth your while.
Buying software is not a one-and-done – it requires some upkeep. Check out our article on renewing the S/W and avoiding unnecessary spending in the process.