In which of the following software licenses, the software publisher grants a license to use one or
more copies of software, but the ownership of those copies remains with the software publisher?
A.
Proprietary License
B.
Open Source License
C.
Free License
D.
Shareware License
Explanation:
A proprietary license is a kind of license that has rules defined by its creators or owners. It specifies
that the ownership remains with the
software publisher in every case. The end user must accept the license to install or use the software.
This kind of license does not come under
purview of any country level or international law. The terms and conditions provided are defined
only by the owner and/or creator.
Answer C is incorrect. A free license typically grants to the end-user extra rights, which would
otherwise be reserved by the software
publisher. The ownership of a particular copy of the software does not remain with the software
publisher. As a result, the end-user has by
default, afforded all rights granted by copyright law to the copy owner. The “copy owner” is not the
same as “copyright owner”. Theownership in a particular copy is transferred, ownership of the copyright remains with the software
publisher.
Answer B is incorrect. An open source license aims to preserve the freedom and openness of the
software itself (‘copyleft’ licenses),
and those that aim to give freedom to the users of that software (permissive licenses).
This license is aimed at giving the end-user significant permission, such as permission to redistribute,
reverse engineer, or otherwise modify
the software. Any modifications made and redistributed by the end-user must include the source
code for these, and the end-user is not
allowed to re-assert the removed copyright restrictions back over their derivative work.
Answer D is incorrect. A Shareware License is a kind of license to use computer software. It permits
the program to be shared freely
with anyone, but includes a moral obligation to send a (usually) small payment to the software
creator if the program meets the needs of the
user.