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