Legal Definitions - proprietary software

Proprietary software is a type of software that cannot be used, shared, or changed without permission from the owner. This software is usually sold for profit and comes with a limited license that restricts copying, modification, and redistribution.

For example, Microsoft Office is a proprietary software that requires users to purchase a license to use it. The license agreement restricts users from sharing the software with others or modifying the code.

Another example is Adobe Photoshop, which is also proprietary software. Users must purchase a license to use the software and are not allowed to share it with others or modify the code.

These examples illustrate how proprietary software is owned by a company or individual and cannot be freely shared or modified without permission. This type of software is different from freeware or shareware, which can be used and shared without restrictions.