In India, software license laws are primarily governed by the Copyright Act, 1957, the IT Act, 2000, and the Indian Contract Act, 1872. Software is considered a literary work under the Copyright Act, granting the owner exclusive rights to reproduction, distribution, and modification. Unauthorized use is punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment and/or a fine of ₹2 lakh.
The IT Act addresses cybercrimes like hacking and software piracy, while the Indian Contract Act governs software license agreements, including End-User License Agreements (EULA). The Patent Act protects software as part of a technical invention but does not allow software patents by itself.
Common software licenses include proprietary, open-source, and freeware/shareware licenses. These licenses regulate how users can modify, distribute, or use the software under specific terms.
