Public Domain Software
Public Domain software is software that "is in the Public Domain." In layman's terms, it has no owner of the intellectual property. Somebody created the program but has no ownership on the program. Public Domain software are allowed to be edited, changed, copied, and distributed with no restrictions. The reason that there is no ownership of the original program is because they have relinquished the copyright of it. Due to the Berne Convention, everything program created is copyrighted. Therefore in order to make a program that is in the program in the Public Domain there must be steps taken to disown the copyright. [3] One of the big confusions that arises with distinguishing Public Domain Software is the similarity to Freeware and Open Source software. Both of these types of software have the potential to have no limitations on the usage of the program, just like Public domain, but the copyright remains on Freeware and Open Source.
Freeware
Freeware software is software that is available with no cost or has an optional "donation" fee. The software can be fully functional for an unlimited time, or have certain restrictions on functionality that can be changed with shareware or a commercially licensed software. Freeware come coupled with one or more restrictions normally. The author or creator of the program will restrict the ability to copy and distribute the software, or reverse engineer and modify the code of the software. In the license, the software may also restrict the use, such as private, public, non-commercial, non-profit, or non-military use. Another way that the Freeware can be restricted is by not allowing use over a server, network, or disallowing use in combination with another program. The Free Software Foundation often has issues with the term "Freeware". "True Free Software" is software that is supposed to be without restrictions on distribution, modification or use, which Freeware has the potential to not be. The first example of software that was initially deemed classified as Freeware was created by Andrew Fluegelman, and it was called PC-Talk. It has its source code available to the public and was initially distributed without cost. Later, this would become known as "Shareware" as cost was later added to use of it.
Open Source
Open Source software is software that comes with permission for anybody to use, copy, distribute with either modifications or as produced. Open Source software is available free of charge to a user. The important distinction about this type of software is that it needs to have the source code available for view. Open source software is very similar to free software, but it has a distinction. Open source software has available less control in the licenses than free software. The video below is an explanation of Open Source software as well. Open Source software has a large number of criterion that it must fill.
The first is free Redistribution. an Open Source license will not restrict either in part or whole the distribution of the software. As by its name, the product needs to have its source code available. While the source code does not need to be distributed with the product, there needs to be a publicly available area to view and copy the source code. Open source licenses also require for free modification of the original product and allow for distribution of the modification. Open source licenses cannot discriminate against who is able to modify the program. This includes other countries, the government, and certain religions and races. The license may not limit the way that the program, or modification of the program, is used. Open source programs are intended to be used in many facets, and not prevent it from benefiting in every way that it can. The Open Source program cannot be required to be apart of a bundle or be used with another program. Finally, the program is not allowed to be restricted to a certain media or type of technology. [6]
Commercial Software
Commercial Software is "payware". In order to access the software some sort of payment is normally required. Commercial software serves a commercial purpose. There are also free Commercial Software programs. There are many different types of Commercial Software including Shareware, Limited License, Unlimited License, and Volume Purchasing.[3] Originally, when computers were still large mainframes that took up an entire room, software was rented with the computer and the source code was given during rental. In 1969, IBM lead the way for the creation of Commercial Software, by not releasing the source code for their programs and charging for both the computer, and the programs that needed to be used on the computer. Commercial software is normally "closed source" and has severe restrictions on using the source code of the program. Reverse engineering is often times considered a crime and comes coupled with a severe fine if discovered. Other restrictions often include amount of users using the product at one time, and "benchmark" tests rating performance from being published without authorization. There are many different distribution types of Commercial Software, and they are described below.
Shareware
Shareware is often referred to as trialware or demoware. Shareware is software that is distributed for free on a trial basis. The software will have a combination of restrictions based on convenience, functionality and availability. A shareware program can, for example, be free for 10 days but have a large amount of ads or promotions that break up the use of the program. The user will able to pay money for a full license to the program, which will give full functionality and remove any of the restrictions that were there in the free version. Shareware is distributed through downloads on a website or through free compact discs in magazines and newspapers. This is done in order to avoid selling the product at a store and giving the end-user a reduced price for the product. Blizzard has offered its World of Warcraft game as shareware, giving trial versions in boxes of their other games. After two weeks of activation, the trial expires and gives the user an ability to purchase a full version of the game, without having to purchase it from a store such as Best Buy or any other store that sells software.[5]
Limited License (LL)
A Limited License software is only intended for non-commercial use of a program. The software is intended for multiple person use, but limited to a certain number of users at the same time. One example of this is Webroot Anti-Virus with Spyware, which grants either 1, 2, or 3 users a license for a certain amount of time (1, 3, or 5 years). This type of license can also be used in educational institutions. It is used in a classroom setting for teaching students or for research purposes only. At Penn State, Final Cut Pro is an example of Limited License software. This program is only available in certain locations on campus.[1]
Unlimited Site License (USL)
Unlimited Site License agreements is software that has no limit on the number of copies that can be distributed. These types of licenses are available to groups of people at a time, such as universities or government agencies. Typically there is no additional cost associated with these licenses, other than the potential cost of buying a burnable CD to distribute with. They are often available for check out from libraries for a few days, or for download from the Internet.[2]
Volume Purchase Agreement (VPA)
Volume Purchase Agreements are licenses that have no set amount of copies to be distributed. This is meant to be sent to large companies but may have varying amounts of distribution. VPA's are often sold at a reduced price. An example of a VPA is Penn State offering a cheaper price for Microsoft Vista/Windows 7 when buying computers through the school. Certain VPA's will allow for more copies to be bought after the initial purchase.[1]
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[[1]]http://www-rohan.sdsu.edu/~mwssls/softwarelicense.html
[[2]]http://www.ehow.com/about_5146801_types-software-licences.html
[[3]]http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/categories.html#PublicDomainSoftware
[[4]]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOTCz7KkULU
[[5]]http://www.coffeecup.com/help/articles/shareware-software/