Document background
The Dual Software License agreement is essential for software companies operating in India who wish to implement a flexible licensing strategy for their software products. This document enables software providers to offer their products under two distinct licensing models - typically a commercial license for traditional business users and an alternative license (such as open source) for different use cases. The agreement complies with Indian legislation, including the Information Technology Act, 2000, Copyright Act, 1957, and Indian Contract Act, 1872. It addresses critical aspects such as intellectual property rights, usage terms, modification rights, distribution conditions, and support obligations specific to each license type. This type of agreement is particularly valuable when software providers want to maintain control over their intellectual property while simultaneously benefiting from community engagement or market penetration through alternative licensing models.
