Shareware is software with a free trial period of 14-30 days. After the trial, payment is required to continue using it legally. The Electronic User License Agreement (EULA) contains legal requirements. Some shareware is offered as freeware for personal use and shareware for commercial use. Crippleware must be purchased to become fully functional. Reading the EULA is important, and using shareware beyond the trial period without payment is a breach of contract.
Shareware is a type of software readily available on the Internet that has a free trial period, usually between 14-30 days. After downloading the shareware, the user can install the program and use it for the trial period to see if it meets his needs. If the user wishes to legally continue to use the shareware, payment must be made before the trial period expires. If the user does not want to pay for the shareware, it must be uninstalled before the end of the trial period.
Legal requirements vary between programs and are often program-specific. Details are contained in the Electronic User License Agreement (EULA) provided with the product. A user must accept the EULA before installing shareware. The EULA is a binding contract that usually contains language that prohibits the user from doing things like modifying the program code, redistributing it, selling it, and so on.
Often a software program is offered as freeware to individuals for personal use and shareware to businesses for commercial use. In this case companies have to pay more for licenses to use the program after the trial date, while an individual who installs the program at home can use it freely. The EULA will state the legal requirements for both parties.
The vast majority of shareware is fully functional during the trial period. However, some shareware, such as Crippleware, must be purchased before it becomes fully functional. In this case the user obtains a serial number, usually by email at the time of payment, to unlock the impaired features. Less often, shareware versions lack the code for the missing feature and a new download is required to get a fully functional product.
Whenever you install shareware, read the EULA for legal requirements. If you do not agree with the EULA and indicate it with a click in the appropriate box, the software will not be installed.
Using the shareware beyond the trial date without paying is a breach of contract. In some cases, shareware will have a built-in mechanism to prevent this from happening by refusing to open after the trial period has expired. Other programs have “annoying screens” to ask for payment; and some shareware rely solely on honesty and voluntary cooperation.
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