Key issues in software licence agreements

Produced in partnership with Tom Bohills of Chronos Law and John Benjamin of Duane Morris LLP
Practice notes

Key issues in software licence agreements

Produced in partnership with Tom Bohills of Chronos Law and John Benjamin of Duane Morris LLP

Practice notes
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Software can be broadly defined as a computer program comprising a series of instructions which, in combination with the underlying hardware and inputs from an End user, allow or cause a computer to perform a specific operation.

There are various categories of software based on the operation it causes the computer to perform. For example, operating systems such as Microsoft Windows or Apple’s macOS control and manage a computer’s basic functions. A computer’s operating system is what recognises input from devices like the keyboard and mouse, sends output to the monitor and manages the sharing of memory between programs.

At the other end of the scale are applications which sit on top of the computer’s operating system and provide a particular, visible function to the end user of the machine. Examples of applications range from word processors to media players to games.

A software Licence is a binding agreement that grants a customer the right to use a defined piece of software subject to certain

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Key definition:
Licence definition
What does Licence mean?

A Licence is required by an alternative business structure to provide one or more reserved activities (such as probate services or litigation and advocacy).

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