Software License

A software license defines the extent to which and the conditions under which a software product may be used. It specifies the term of use, the number of installations or users, permitted purposes and transferability to third parties. Common models include single-seat licences, network licences for multiple users, subscriptions with recurring payments, and open source licences with varying redistribution terms. In networking, licences are frequently tied to hardware and unlock feature sets such as routing protocols, VPN capacity, ports or security services on firewalls. Such licences may be linked to serial numbers and require reassignment when equipment is replaced. When purchasing used hardware and software, it is therefore important to verify which licences are included, valid and legally transferable.