Software Licences

[Tony Scott]

We produce business software in the UK. What are the normal licencing terms,
in particular, is the customer entitled to a copy of the source code even
though this was not specified in the purchase agreement?

Tony Scott
Brentwood UK

[CQMMAN]

If you haven't specified access to the source code, or the intellectual
property of the program than the user has no automatic right to it.



"Tony Scott" <tonys@gtsystemsuk.co.uk> wrote in message
news:br5e8v$am3$1@newsg1.svr.pol.co.uk... We produce business software in the UK. What are the normal licencing
terms, in particular, is the customer entitled to a copy of the source code even though this was not specified in the purchase agreement? Tony Scott Brentwood UK

[Paul DeGroot]

In some cases (usually involving a major, critical app), a purchase can
specify that the source code will be held in escrow. If the vendor
disappears and the code is no longer available commercially, the
customer can request access to the source code.

I once worked at a newspaper that purchased a classified advertising
system that cost nearly $1 million, for instance. The contract called
for the source to be held in escrow. We did not want to be in a
situation where, if the vendor got out of the business and the code
needed modification, our only option was to purchase a new system from
someone else. But we did not have access to it on demand and doubt that
we ever had access to the source code.

Paul DeGroot
Licensing Analyst
Directions on Microsoft
Independent Research on Microsoft Strategies and Directions
www.directionsonmicrosoft.com


Tony Scott wrote: We produce business software in the UK. What are the normal licencing terms, in particular, is the customer entitled to a copy of the source code even though this was not specified in the purchase agreement? Tony Scott Brentwood UK