Licence information
Purpose of this information page
On this information page, Lizenzdeals24 provides comprehensive information on software licence types, licence models and the associated rights of use and transfer. The aim is to explain the differences between the various licence types in a clear and comprehensible manner and to provide transparent guidance on classifying different software licences.
The content provided is aimed at private individuals, businesses and public institutions and is intended solely for general information purposes. It explains typical areas of application, general licence features and the basic legal framework of various software licence models. The applicable licence terms and conditions of the respective manufacturer shall always prevail.
What is a software licence?
A software licence describes the legal rights to use a piece of software. It specifies the conditions under which software may be installed, activated and used. The scope of these rights depends on the respective licence model and the manufacturer’s licence terms.
Depending on the product and manufacturer, there are different types of licence with varying areas of application and usage rights. These include, for example, OEM licences, retail licences (FPP), volume licences, cloud subscriptions and other licences for businesses, educational institutions or public bodies.
The aim of the various licence models is to meet the specific requirements of different user groups. The rights and conditions may differ in respect of, amongst other things, the installation, use, transferability, duration and management of a licence.
Overview of licence types
Software is provided via different licensing models depending on the manufacturer and product. The respective licence type determines, amongst other things, the intended area of use, the available rights of use, transferability and other licensing characteristics. The following sections explain the most important licence types and their general characteristics.
| Licence type | Brief description |
|---|---|
| OEM | A software licence provided by the manufacturer or system manufacturer for use in accordance with the relevant licence terms. |
| Retail (FPP) | A retail licence for end users, subject to the manufacturer’s applicable terms of use and licence conditions. |
| volume licence | A licensing model for organisations with multiple users or devices. |
| Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) | Cloud-based licence model with subscription-based provision of services and software. |
| Education | Licence model for eligible educational institutions, teaching staff and students in accordance with the respective manufacturer’s terms and conditions. |
OEM licences
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM licences are offered by software manufacturers for the provision of their software in conjunction with hardware or via authorised distribution channels. They constitute a separate type of licence and are subject to the manufacturer’s applicable licence terms and conditions.
OEM licences are used in both private and business contexts. The rights of use are governed exclusively by the licences applicable to the respective product. Depending on the software product, these may differ in terms of installation, use, transferability and other licence features.
Before using an OEM licence, the manufacturer’s applicable licence terms should always be taken into account. The product-specific licence terms and the terms of use applicable to the relevant software product are decisive.
Retail Licences (FPP)
Retail licences, also known as FPP (Full Packaged Product), are software licences intended for sale to end customers. They are offered by the manufacturer as a standalone licence type and are subject to the applicable licence terms and conditions of the respective software product.
Depending on the manufacturer and product, retail licences may include different rights of use. These include, amongst other things, provisions regarding installation, activation, use and, where applicable, the transfer of the licence. The manufacturer’s respective licence terms are always decisive in this regard.
Retail licences are used by both private individuals and businesses. Before using a software licence, the product-specific licence terms and the manufacturer’s applicable End User Licence Agreement (EULA) should be observed.
Volume Licences
Volume licences are licensing models provided by software manufacturers for organisations with multiple users or a large number of devices. They enable the centralised management of software licences and are predominantly used in businesses, public bodies, educational institutions and other organisations.
Depending on the licence programme, volume licences may include different entitlements, activation procedures and management options. The respective rights of use are determined by the underlying licence programme and the manufacturer’s applicable licence terms.
Well-known activation methods within volume licensing programmes include, for example, MAK (Multiple Activation Key) and KMS (Key Management Service). The type of activation used depends on the specific product and licensing programme.
The scope of use, transferability and other licence rights are governed exclusively by the applicable licence terms and programme conditions of the respective manufacturer.
Cloud Solution Provider (CSP)
The Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) programme is a Microsoft licensing model for the provision of cloud-based software and services. It is primarily aimed at businesses and organisations that wish to centrally manage software, cloud services and subscriptions.
In the CSP model, software products and online services are generally provided as subscription-based licences. Management is carried out via the relevant Microsoft services and administration portals. The nature and scope of use depend on the product selected and Microsoft’s applicable licence terms.
Depending on the product, a CSP licence may include different contract terms, user allocations, management functions and cloud services. Changes to the number of users or the scope of the licence are subject to the relevant contractual and programme terms.
All rights of use, licence terms and management options are governed by the currently valid Microsoft Product Terms and the licence and contractual terms applicable to the respective product.
Education Licences
Education licences are special software licences provided by manufacturers for educational institutions and other eligible user groups. The requirements for purchase and use are determined exclusively by the manufacturer’s respective licence programmes and licence terms.
Depending on the manufacturer, educational institutions, teaching staff, research staff, students or other eligible organisations may qualify for the relevant licence programmes. Eligibility depends on the product and programme and can be checked prior to purchase.
Education licences differ from other licences in terms of their intended scope of use, usage rights and any restrictions. The applicable rights and conditions are governed by the respective manufacturer’s regulations and the underlying licence programme.
The use of an Education licence is governed exclusively by the applicable licence terms, programme conditions and eligibility criteria of the respective software manufacturer.
Rights of Use
The usage rights of a software licence determine the extent to which the software may be used. They are derived from the respective licence model and the manufacturer’s licence terms and conditions, and may vary depending on the product and licence type.
Typical areas covered include, amongst others, the number of permitted installations, use by individual users or devices, use in a private or business context, virtualisation rights, network and server use, as well as other product-specific terms of use.
Not every software licence grants identical rights of use. The nature and scope of permitted use are governed exclusively by the manufacturer’s licence terms applicable to the product in question.
Before installing and using any software, it is therefore advisable to carefully check the applicable licence terms to ensure that the software is used in accordance with the licence rights provided.
Transfer Rights
The transferability of a software licence describes whether, and under what conditions, rights of use may be transferred to another person or organisation. The relevant provisions vary depending on the manufacturer, product and licence model.
Whether a licence is transferable depends on the manufacturer’s applicable licence terms and the provisions governing the relevant licence programme. Depending on the type of licence, different conditions, restrictions or documentation requirements may apply.
In addition to the licence terms, statutory requirements and the relevant case law may also be relevant when assessing the transferability of software licences. The assessment is always carried out on a case-by-case basis.
Before transferring or passing on a software licence, therefore, both the relevant manufacturer’s terms and conditions and the applicable legal framework should be taken into account.
Comparison of Licence Types
The following overview highlights the key differences between the most common types of software licence. The information provided is for general guidance only. The applicable licence terms and programme conditions of the respective manufacturer always take precedence.
| Licence type | Private | Business | Transferability | Term | Typical activation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OEM | Yes | Yes | Subject to the licence terms | perpetual licence | Online / By telephone |
| Retail (FPP) | Yes | Yes | In accordance with licence terms | perpetual licence | Online / By telephone |
| volume licence | Partially | Yes | Depends on the licence programme | Depending on the programme | MAK / KMS |
| CSP | Usually no | Yes | Non-transferable | Subscription | Microsoft account / Admin Centre |
| Education | Eligible users | Educational institutions | In accordance with licence terms | Depending on the product | Depends on the manufacturer |
Legal Notices
The content provided on this information page is intended solely for general information regarding various types of software licences, licensing models and their typical characteristics. It does not constitute individual legal advice and does not represent a binding interpretation of individual licence terms.
The respective rights of use are derived exclusively from the licence terms, end-user licence agreements (EULAs), product terms and the programme terms of the relevant manufacturer applicable to the software product in question. These may vary depending on the product, version and licence programme.
Statutory provisions, as well as the relevant applicable national and European case law, may impose additional requirements or specific provisions for individual licence models or circumstances. The statutory provisions applicable in each individual case, as well as the respective manufacturer’s terms and conditions, shall always prevail.
Lizenzdeals24 updates this information page regularly to ensure that the content is, to the best of its knowledge, up to date and clear. Despite careful checking, no guarantee can be given as to the completeness, timeliness or continued validity of all information.
Glossary of Licence Terms
The following glossary explains commonly used terms from the field of software licensing. The definitions are intended as a general guide and do not replace the manufacturer’s applicable licence terms.
| Term | Description |
|---|---|
| OEM | Original Equipment Manufacturer. A licensing model intended by the manufacturer for specific forms of distribution or provision. |
| Retail (FPP) | Retail licence (Full Packaged Product) provided to end customers. |
| volume licence | A licensing programme for organisations with multiple users or devices. |
| CSP | Cloud Solution Provider – Microsoft licensing programme for the provision of cloud-based software and services. |
| CAL | Client Access Licence – access authorisation for specific Microsoft server products. |
| User CAL | An access licence assigned to a specific user. |
| Device CAL | An access licence assigned to a specific device. |
| RDS CAL | Remote Desktop Services Client Access Licence for access to Microsoft Remote Desktop Services. |
| MAK | Multiple Activation Key – an activation method for certain volume licensing programmes. |
| KMS | Key Management Service – an activation service for volume licences within a network. |
| EULA | End User Licence Agreement – the end-user licence agreement issued by the respective manufacturer. |
| Product Terms | The manufacturer’s official product and licence terms for specific software products and licence programmes. |
| LTSC | Long-Term Servicing Channel – a release model offering long-term support for selected Microsoft products. |
| perpetual licence | A right of use with no time limit, in accordance with the manufacturer’s relevant licence terms. |
| Subscription | A time-limited usage model that provides access to software or services for the duration of the contract. |
| Activation | The process of activating software in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements. |
| Core licensing | A licensing model in which the number of physical or virtual processor cores determines the required licensing. |
Official sources and further information
Microsoft
- Microsoft Product Terms
- Microsoft Learn
- Microsoft Licensing
- Microsoft Product Lifecycle
Adobe
- Adobe Licensing Terms
- End User Licence Agreement (EULA)
- Product documentation
Ashampoo
- Licence Terms
- Product documentation
: All external links listed on this information page lead to official information pages of the respective software manufacturers. Licence terms, product terms, End User Licence Agreements (EULA) and product documentation may be updated or amended by the manufacturers at any time. The manufacturer’s information published at the relevant time, as well as the licences and contractual terms applicable to the respective software product, shall always prevail.
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