Real Ownership of Software

Do you think you 'own' copyrighted software youimperative for the developer to release the software
'purchase'? Think beneath the skin. Do you really ownunder open source license. He or she may make any
the software for which you shelled out a significantnumber of modifications and keep the source code
sum? The answer is a solid NO. No, you are not theof the developed version to themselves, provided
owner of the proprietary software that you thinkthey use it for their own purposes and not distribute
you purchase. Instead, you purchase only license toto others.
use the program for your purposes. When you payThus you will find open source software is not just
for a piece of software, what you actually do isabout reduced costs. It also gives you better control
paying a license fee plus support costs.over your business activities. The most shining
Most times we don't think we need to read theexample of enterprise open source software is
license agreement that comes with proprietaryGoogleâ„¢. The company that presently
software. As you read, you will understand that youdiversified into many different business areas from its
are only allowed to use the software as it is. Sureoriginal search engine use open source software in
you are promised some support, but how many oftheir servers located throughout the world.
end users actually use such an option?According to Googleâ„¢ it is taking your
If you owned the piece of software that youdestiny to your own hands. There is no need to wait
purchased, you would be free to make anyfor the software developer company come up with
modifications to the software. You will be able to addchanges or modifications. In house developers make
new features or remove unwanted features. Think ifthe necessary modification in a matter of days or
it is possible with proprietary software solutions.even hours. It would take many weeks for the
With open source software, a developer is free todeveloper company to come up with a solution for
modify any software he purchased under openimmediate problems.
source agree and resell it for a profit. It is however