proprietary software
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proprietary software, software developed by an individual or company that chooses not to publicly share the program’s source code. This allows the software’s creator to control its distribution. One of the key features of proprietary software is that it is legally owned by the individual, organization, or company that creates it. This includes owning any intellectual property rights associated with the software and its source code.
The software used on early computers existed outside the bounds of copyright law and was usually designed to run only on the specific hardware for which it was built. In the U.S., computer programs were not expressly considered copyrightable until the enactment of the Computer Software Copyright Act of 1980. The act outlines the elements of a software system that allow it to be considered a protected work.
Protecting software source code allows developers to maintain the product stability of the program. In contrast, open-source software shares its source code with the public. Anyone can modify or distribute open-source software.
Advocates of protecting source code argue that it allows for better software security. With open-source software, malicious actors and hackers can identify weaknesses in the code and use them to exploit end users. However, experienced users may find the restricted protections of proprietary software frustrating, as they cannot review or modify the source code to update any of the software’s processes or features. Additionally, proprietary software is not invulnerable to attacks—hackers can exploit software vulnerabilities without access to its source code. The security of the code cannot be checked by the public; rather, users rely on company assurance. Open-source code can more easily be checked for vulnerabilities.
Creators of proprietary software can provide licensing for their product to demonstrate its authenticity. A license dictates terms of use for the program. It may limit the number or types of devices that can install the software. Licensing also places restrictions on unauthorized distribution of the software through file-sharing or torrent sites. Software licensing often specifies a length of time that a software will operate, a restriction that is managed through a subscription service.
End users of proprietary software often receive technical support from its creator. For creators, this is a potential downside to proprietary software, as a dedicated technical support system adds to the cost of software maintenance.
Common examples of proprietary software are operating systems such as Microsoft Windows or MacOS. These operating systems differ from the open-source system Linux and its various distributions, which are considered more transparent and developer-friendly. Linux systems have public-facing source code and can be downloaded for free.
Other examples of proprietary software are iOS, which is the operating system used by iPhones, and the Microsoft Office family of products, which includes the programs Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Design software such as AutoCAD and SOLIDWORKS are also proprietary software, as are popular accounting software programs Sage and QuickBooks. Additionally, the operating systems used to run home video gaming consoles such as the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Xbox are all proprietary software.