Proprietary software is any PC program with restrictions on usage or private modification, or with restrictions judged to be unnecessary on replicating or publishing of changed or unchanged versions. The phrase proprietary software is consequently the opposite of free software, in general. These limitations are placed on the program by one of its creators.
These limitations [...]
Proprietary software is any PC program with restrictions on usage or private modification, or with restrictions judged to be unnecessary on replicating or publishing of changed or unchanged versions. The phrase proprietary software is consequently the opposite of free software, in general. These limitations are placed on the program by one of its creators.
These limitations are protected by either official or technical methods, or both. The most ordinary form of technical restriction is by releasing programs that are simply computer-readable, and preserving the human-readable source code. Lawful methods of enforcement include copyright perhaps with a restrictive software license) and patents. The source code of such programs is generally regarded as a trade secret by the proprietor. Access to source code by third parties usually requires the person concerned to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Use of software is protected by contract law through either an specific software license agreement or by shrink wrap licensing.
Well recognized examples of proprietary software include Microsoft Windows, RealPlayer, iTunes, Google Earth and Skype, though there are tons more out there.
Software distributions considered as proprietary may possibly incorporate a “mixed source” example mashing together both free and non-free applications in the same distribution. The majority, if not all so-called proprietary UNIX distributions are varied source software, bundling open source components like BIND, Sendmail, X Window System, DHCP, and others along with a purely proprietary kernel and system utilities.
The end-user license agreement (EULA) for a variety of programs can constrain user privileges even more than traditional copyright. For instance, the EULA for Microsoft Windows states that the program “is licensed, not sold”. Restrictions to the software’s use include installing to single workstation for a simple license, and limits the amount of connections with “computers or other electronic devices”.
Some proprietary software comes with source code or else provides offers to the source code. Users are able to make use of and even study and alter the software in these instances, but are restricted by either licenses or non-disclosure agreements from redistributing modifications or sharing the software.
A few free software packages are additionally available under proprietary provisions. Examples include MySQL, Sendmail and ssh. The original copyright holders for a piece of free software, even copyleft free software, can make use of dual-licensing to permit themselves or others to redistribute proprietary versions. Non-copyleft free software allows any person to create proprietary re-distributions.
For particular proprietary software where the user can access source code, such as online programs or Java applications, various developers will obfuscate the source code in an effort to render it more challenging for users to get hold of the original code.
Proprietary software that is no cost is called freeware. Shareware, like freeware, is proprietary software presented at zero cost, but is different in being free of charge merely for a trial period, after which certain restriction is forced or the program may be completely disabled all together. Proprietary software which is no longer marketed by its proprietor and is used devoid of authorization by users is often referred to as abandonware and may possibly include source code. Certain abandonware has the source code released to the public domain either by its author or copyright holder and is therefore free software, and no longer proprietary software.
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