Software Licensing Handbook Second Edition

The Software Licensing Handbook leads you through the twists and turns of the language found in almost all software, maintenance and professional services contracts. Plain English explanations of standard contract wording enables anyone to understand what you are reading, regardless of whether you are buying OR selling software. Additionally, sections on negotiation and contract management enable you to fully understand, appreciate and if necessary, implement a complete contracting process.

The book wraps up with a look at the legal effects--both positive and negative--of open source/free software licensing.

"I have studied Rosen's book in detail and am impressed with its scope and content. I strongly recommend it to anybody interested in the current controversies surrounding open source licensing." --John Terpstra, Samba.org; cofounder, Samba-Team "Linux and open source software have forever altered the computing landscape. The important conversations no longer revolve around the technology but rather the business and legal issues. Rosen's book is must reading for anyone using or providing open source solutions." --Stuart Open Source Development Labs A Complete Guide to the Law of Open Source for Developers, Managers, and Lawyers Now that open source software is blossoming around the world, it is crucial to understand how open source licenses work--and their solid legal foundations. Open Source Initiative general counsel Lawrence Rosen presents a plain-English guide to open source law for developers, managers, users, and lawyers. Rosen clearly explains the intellectual property laws that support open source licensing, carefully reviews today's leading licenses, and helps you make the best choices for your project or organization. Coverage includes: Explanation of why the SCO litigation and other attacks won't derail open source Dispelling the myths of open source licensing Intellectual property law for nonlawyers: ownership and licensing of copyrights, patents, and trademarks "Academic licenses" BSD, MIT, Apache, and beyond The "reciprocal bargain" at the heart of the GPL Alternative licenses: Mozilla, CPL, OSL and AFL Benefits of open source, and the obligations and risks facing businesses that deploy open source software Choosing the right license: considering business models, product architecture, IP ownership, license compatibility issues, relicensing, and more Enforcing the terms and conditions of open source licenses Shared source, eventual source, and other alternative models to open source Protecting yourself against lawsuits

This new Second Edition updates its first edition published in 2005 by examining the fundamental issues that both licensors and licensees confront in the negotiation of a software license. This resource is accompanied by and cross-referenced to an annotated software license. A detailed index and companion CD-ROM is also included for customization of the software license and related forms.

This updated 7th edition examines fundamental issues that both vendors and customers may confront in the negotiation of a software license and a cloud computing agreement, including related issues such as software development, professional services, maintenance and support. Included are four new chapters and 41 new forms, checklists, and policies. The cloud computing chapter has been expanded.

This book is a user manual for understanding and deployment of open source software licensing in business. Written for lawyers and businesspeople alike, it explains and analyzes open source licensing issues, and gives practical suggestions on how to deal with open source licensing in a business context. Including useful forms, information, and both technical and licensing background, this book will help you avoid legal pitfalls and edcuate your organization about the risks of open source.

Part of the Quick Legal Guides series, this book is an introduction to software licensing, including how to create a software license that's right for you.

The Tech Contracts Handbook is a practical and accessible reference book and training manual on IT contracts. This is a clause-by-clause "how to" guide on software licenses and technology services agreements, covering the issues at stake and offering negotiation tips and sample contract language.This handbook is written for both lawyers and businesspeople, including contract managers, procurement officers, corporate counsel, salespeople, and anyone else responsible for getting IT deals done. Perhaps most important, this book uses simple English, as any good contract should.Topics covered include: ·Software as a service (SaaS) and cloud computing agreements ·Warranties ·Indemnities ·Open source software ·Service level agreements ·Nondisclosure agreements ·Limitations of liability ·Internet and e-commerce contracts·Software escrow ·Data security ·Copyright licensing ·And much more