EULA

A license agreement between a software publisher and the end user, commonly referred to as an End-User License Agreement (EULA), is a contract that grants permission to use software under defined terms while asserting the publisher’s ownership.

EULAs typically specify the license scope, including the number of devices or users, allowed installations, backups, and whether the software may be copied or transferred. They also set out permitted uses and restrictions, such as prohibitions on reverse engineering, disassembly, redistribution, or sublicensing. Other common elements address ownership, updates and support, termination rights, and the consequences of misuse.

Many EULAs contain disclaimers of warranty and limitations of liability, along with indemnification provisions. They may designate governing law and dispute resolution methods, such as arbitration. Some licenses also note data collection practices or privacy considerations tied to the software.

EULAs are distinct from Terms of Service, which govern online services and websites. Enforceability varies by jurisdiction, and certain clauses may be challenged as unfair or unenforceable in consumer contexts. Consent mechanisms differ, with some agreements presented as click-through licenses and others embedded in physical media or installer prompts.

Criticism of EULAs centers on their length and complexity, which can obscure terms for ordinary users. For organizations, careful license management and compliance are important, including tracking license keys and deployment scopes to ensure proper use and avoidance of unauthorized copying or redistribution.