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Software licensing governs how software can be used, distributed, and modified. Whether you're licensing software to customers, using third-party software, or managing open source compliance, licensing issues can create significant legal and commercial risks. Our specialist software licensing solicitors provide expert guidance on all licensing matters.
Proprietary Licenses:
Open Source Licenses:
Usage Rights:
Distribution Rights:
IP Protections:
Open source software usage requires careful compliance management:
Software vendors increasingly audit customer compliance:
License Drafting:
Compliance Services:
Business Model Alignment:
Risk Management:
Proper software licensing protects your intellectual property while ensuring compliance with third-party software obligations.
This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified solicitor.
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Find Your SolicitorCommon questions about software licensing and how our solicitors can help
Proprietary licenses restrict use, modification, and distribution, requiring payment and compliance with specific terms. Open source licenses allow use, modification, and distribution but may require sharing source code modifications (copyleft) or attribution. Each has different compliance obligations and commercial implications. Our licensing specialists help you understand obligations and choose appropriate licensing strategies for your business model.
GPL compliance requires sharing source code of modified GPL software and any software you distribute that incorporates GPL code. You must provide source code to recipients, include license notices, and document modifications. LGPL has similar but less restrictive requirements. Our open source compliance specialists help you understand obligations, implement compliance procedures, and manage copyleft risks in commercial products.
Contact a software licensing solicitor immediately. Don't admit liability or provide information without legal advice. Document your software usage, gather license agreements, and preserve evidence. Assess the claim's validity and potential defenses. Our licensing dispute specialists help you respond to allegations, negotiate settlements, and implement compliance improvements to prevent future issues.
Software audits typically involve questionnaires, on-site inspections, and software discovery tools. You have rights to reasonable notice, scope limitations, confidentiality protection, and professional conduct. Don't provide more information than required and ensure audit scope stays within contract bounds. Our audit defense specialists guide you through the process, protect your rights, and minimize financial exposure.
Modification rights depend on the specific open source license. Permissive licenses (MIT, Apache) allow modification and commercial use with minimal restrictions. Copyleft licenses (GPL) allow modification but may require sharing your modifications and any combined software. Our open source specialists help you understand modification rights and commercial use obligations for different license types.
For distributing your own software, you need appropriate commercial licenses for customers and potentially distribution partner agreements. For distributing third-party software, you need reseller or distribution licenses from the original vendors. Consider end-user license agreements, volume licensing terms, and support obligations. Our licensing specialists help you structure appropriate licensing frameworks for your distribution model.
Develop licensing strategy based on your business model, target customers, and revenue goals. Consider perpetual vs subscription licensing, usage-based vs user-based pricing, and geographic or vertical market restrictions. Include appropriate protection clauses and compliance mechanisms. Our commercial licensing specialists help you design licensing strategies that maximize revenue while providing customer value.
Using unlicensed software risks copyright infringement claims, financial penalties, criminal prosecution, and civil damages. You may face software audits, license compliance costs, and reputational damage. Business operations may be disrupted by legal action or forced software removal. Our compliance specialists help you audit software usage, obtain proper licenses, and implement compliance procedures to avoid these risks.
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