Teaching Notes: Software Distribution and Licensing
Audience: Students with basic computer literacy.
Objective: To understand the key differences between various software
licensing models and the concept of intellectual property rights in software.
1. Copyright
Core Concept: Copyright is a form of legal protection granted to the
creator of an original work (like books, music, art, and software code). It
gives the creator exclusive rights to control how their work is used,
copied, distributed, and modified.
(Copyright is the legal foundation that gives creators control over their
original works and allows them to decide who can copy, share, or modify
them.)
Key Points:
o Automatic Protection: In most countries, copyright is automatic the
moment a work is created and fixed in a tangible form (e.g., saved to a
disk).
o "All Rights Reserved": By default, software is protected by copyright.
This means you cannot legally copy or share it without the copyright
holder's permission.
o Foundation for Licenses: Software licenses exist because of
copyright. A license is essentially permission from the copyright
holder to use the software under specific terms.
Analogy: Buying a book gives you the right to read it, but not the right to
photocopy and sell it. The copyright holder (the publisher/author) retains
those rights.
2. End-User License Agreement (EULA)
Core Concept: A EULA is the legal contract between the software
developer (licensor) and the user (licensee) that defines the rights and
restrictions for using the software.
Key Points:
o You Agree to the Terms: When you install software, clicking "I
Agree" means you are entering a legal contract.
o Defines Permissions: It specifies what you can and cannot do with
the software (e.g., number of installations, commercial use, etc.).
o Limits Liability: EULAs often state that the developer is not
responsible for any damages caused by the software.
Analogy: The EULA is like the rules of a rental car agreement. It tells you
how you can use the car (e.g., only you can drive it, no off-roading) and what
you're liable for.
3. Freeware
Core Concept: Freeware is software that is available for use at no
monetary cost.
Key Points:
o Gratis (Free as in "Free Beer"): It is free of charge.
o Source Code Usually Not Included: You cannot see or modify the
program's source code. It is typically closed-source or proprietary.
o Restrictions May Apply: The EULA may restrict usage—for example,
prohibiting modification, redistribution, or commercial use. Examples
include Skype, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and Spotify's free tier.
4. Shareware
Core Concept: Shareware is proprietary software that is distributed
freely on a trial basis, with the intention that users will pay for it if they
continue to use it after the trial period.
Key Points:
o "Try Before You Buy": It's a marketing method to encourage sales.
o Common Types:
Demoware: Limited features until you pay.
Trialware: Fully functional but stops working after a set period (e.g.,
30 days).
Nagware: Continues to work but frequently displays reminders to pay.
o Source Code is Closed: Like freeware, the source code is not
available for modification.
Analogy: A sample at a grocery store. You can try a small amount for free,
but if you want the full product, you have to buy it.
5. Open Source Software (OSS)
Core Concept: Open Source Software is software whose source code
is made available to the public under a license that allows users to
view, use, modify, and distribute the software and its source code to
anyone and for any purpose.
Key Points:
o Libre (Free as in "Free Speech"): The focus is on freedom, not
necessarily price. While much OSS is free of charge, it can be sold.
o The Four Essential Freedoms (from the FSF):
1. Freedom 0: The freedom to run the program for any purpose.
2. Freedom 1: The freedom to study how the program works and modify
it.
3. Freedom 2: The freedom to redistribute copies.
4. Freedom 3: The freedom to distribute copies of your modified
versions.
o Licenses Vary: There are different OSS licenses (e.g., MIT, GPL) that
have specific rules, particularly about how modified code must be
shared. Examples include the Linux operating system, the Firefox web
browser, and the VLC media player.
Analogy: A recipe for a meal. You are free to use the recipe, change the
ingredients to suit your taste, and share both the original and your modified
recipe with others.
Summary Table for Quick Comparison
Feature Open Source Freeware Shareware
Cost Often free, but can Free of charge Free for a trial
be sold period, then pay
Source Code Available for view Not Not
and modification available (Closed) available (Closed)
Freedom to Yes No No
Modify
Freedom to Yes Usually restricted Restricted (until
Redistribute purchased)
Primary Goal Collaboration, Brand awareness, Marketing,
freedom, user base generating sales
improvement
Questions for Assessment
Part 1: Multiple Choice & True/False
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of
copyright for software?
a) To make the software free for everyone.
b) To prevent anyone from ever using the software.
c) To grant the creator exclusive rights to control the use of their work.
d) To ensure the software is always high quality.
2. True or False: When you purchase a software package, you are
actually buying the copyright to the software.
o False. You are buying a license to use it under specific terms. The
copyright remains with the creator.
3. A EULA (End-User License Agreement) is best defined as:
a) A suggestion from the developer on how to use the software.
b) A legal contract outlining the terms of use between the developer
and the user.
c) A document that gives the user full ownership of the software.
d) A tutorial on how to install the software.
4. Which type of software is characterized by being free of charge
but keeping its source code secret?
a) Open Source Software
b) Shareware
c) Freeware
d) Public Domain Software
5. The concept of "Free as in Free Speech," emphasizing user
freedom, is most closely associated with:
a) Shareware
b) Freeware
c) Open Source Software
d) Commercial Software
Part 2: Short Answer
6. Explain the key difference between "Freeware" and "Open
Source Software." Your answer should mention both cost and access
to the source code.
7. What is the main business strategy behind Shareware? How
does it differ from simply selling software outright?
8. Why is copyright fundamental to all software licensing models
(including Open Source)?
Part 3: Scenario-Based Questions
9. Maria finds a piece of software online that is free to download
and use. However, the license says she cannot use it for her
small business. She is also not allowed to share it with her
friends.
o Based on these restrictions, is this software more likely to
be Freeware or Open Source? Explain your reasoning.
10. David downloads a fully-functional video editing program. A
pop-up message says, "Your 30-day trial will expire in 5 days.
Please purchase a license to continue using the software."
o What type of software is this? What is this specific trial model called?
11. A programmer finds a useful open-source library online
licensed under the MIT License. She modifies the code to better
suit her project's needs.
o According to the principles of open source, is she allowed to do this? Is
she obligated to share her modified version?
Part 4: Critical Thinking
12. Discuss one potential advantage and one potential
disadvantage for a company that decides to release its
software as Open Source instead of keeping it proprietary
(closed-source).
Answer Key is available upon request.
provide answers
Okay, the user asked for answers to the teaching notes they provided earlier. Let me
start by recalling the context. They originally requested teaching notes on software
licensing types and then questions based on them. Now they’re following up with
“provide answers.”
First, I need to make sure I cover all the questions from the previous response. The
questions were divided into multiple parts: multiple choice, short answer, scenario-
based, and critical thinking. I should structure the answers clearly, matching each
question number.
I should check each answer for accuracy. For example, Question 1 is about copyright—
need to confirm the correct choice and explain why the others are wrong. For short
answers, like Question 6, I need to contrast freeware and open source clearly,
emphasizing cost vs. source code access.
The scenario-based questions require applying definitions to real situations. For
Question 9, identifying freeware based on restrictions. I should explain the reasoning to
reinforce the concepts.
Critical thinking questions need balanced arguments. For Question 12, listing
advantages and disadvantages for a company going open source. I should mention both
community collaboration and potential revenue challenges.
I should keep explanations concise but thorough, ensuring the user understands the key
points without unnecessary complexity. Also, verify that all terminology aligns with the
initial teaching notes to maintain consistency.
Of course! Here are the answers to the assessment questions.
Answer Key
Part 1: Multiple Choice & True/False
1. c) To grant the creator exclusive rights to control the use of
their work.
2. False. You are buying a license to use it under specific terms. The
copyright remains with the creator.
3. b) A legal contract outlining the terms of use between the
developer and the user.
4. c) Freeware
5. c) Open Source Software
Part 2: Short Answer
6. Explain the key difference between "Freeware" and "Open
Source Software."
o The key difference is access to the source code and the freedoms
granted to the user. Both can be free of charge (gratis).
However, Freeware is typically closed-source, meaning users cannot
see or modify the code. Open Source Software provides the source
code, allowing users to study, modify, and distribute it freely (libre).
7. What is the main business strategy behind Shareware? How
does it differ from simply selling software outright?
o The main business strategy behind Shareware is "try before you
buy." It allows potential customers to evaluate the software's full
functionality (or a limited version) for free during a trial period. This
differs from selling software outright because it reduces the risk for the
customer, hoping that a positive experience during the trial will lead to
a purchase.
8. Why is copyright fundamental to all software licensing models
(including Open Source)?
o Copyright is fundamental because it establishes the developer's
ownership and exclusive rights to the software. Without copyright,
anyone could copy or modify the software without permission.
Licenses, including open source licenses, rely on copyright law to exist.
The license is the mechanism by which the copyright holder grants
permissions to others, specifying how they may use the software that
is otherwise protected by copyright.
Part 3: Scenario-Based Questions
9. Maria finds a piece of software online that is free to download
and use. However, the license says she cannot use it for her
small business. She is also not allowed to share it with her
friends.
o This software is most likely Freeware. Open Source Software grants
the freedom to run the program for any purpose (including commercial
use) and to redistribute copies. The restrictions on commercial use and
redistribution are hallmarks of a proprietary license, which is typical of
Freeware.
10. David downloads a fully-functional video editing program. A
pop-up message says, "Your 30-day trial will expire in 5 days.
Please purchase a license to continue using the software."
o This is Shareware. Specifically, this trial model is
called Trialware (software that is fully functional but stops working
after a set time period).
11. A programmer finds a useful open-source library online
licensed under the MIT License. She modifies the code to better
suit her project's needs.
o Yes, she is absolutely allowed to modify the code. The freedom
to modify is a core principle of open source. Furthermore, the MIT
License is a very permissive license. She is not obligated to share
her modified version; she can keep it private or use it in a
commercial product. The MIT License mainly requires that the original
copyright and license notice are included in any distributed copies.
Part 4: Critical Thinking
12. Discuss one potential advantage and one potential
disadvantage for a company that decides to release its
software as Open Source instead of keeping it proprietary
(closed-source).
o Advantage (Example): Community Collaboration and
Innovation. By open-sourcing the software, the company can attract
external developers from around the world to contribute code, report
bugs, and suggest features. This can lead to faster innovation,
improved software quality, and a larger ecosystem around the product
than the company could achieve alone. (Other advantages: increased
adoption/standardization, good publicity, attracting talent).
o Disadvantage (Example): Potential Loss of Direct Revenue. If
the company previously sold the proprietary software, making it open
source may eliminate that direct revenue stream. They must then find
alternative business models, such as selling support, hosting services,
or enterprise features, which can be challenging. (Other disadvantages:
competitors can use the code, less control over the project's direction,
potentially revealing proprietary algorithms).
