Proprietary Software

Definition:

Proprietary software describes programs whose source code is not publicly available and is completely under the control of the manufacturer. Users only acquire a right of use, while the proprietary rights to the program remain with the manufacturer. In contrast to open source software, where the source code can be viewed and modified, proprietary software does not offer the option of adapting the code or checking for potential vulnerabilities.

A major risk with proprietary software is the lack of transparency. Since the source code is not freely accessible, security gaps or vulnerabilities can often remain undetected for a long time. Users depend on the manufacturer to recognize and fix these problems, which can lead to delayed response times for security updates.

Another problem is the so-called vendor lock-in. Users are often strongly tied to a manufacturer because proprietary software is difficult to replace with alternative solutions. Switching to another provider often involves high conversion costs and requires extensive adjustments. This reduces the user's flexibility and increases their dependence on the software provider.

Proprietary software is mainly used in companies and public authorities, as it usually comes with support, security updates and a clear licensing model. Nevertheless, potential users should consider the security risks, costs due to license fees and the risk of vendor lock-in before deciding on a proprietary solution.

Relation to OpenTalk:

OpenTalk deliberately focuses on an open and transparent software solution as opposed to proprietary software. Published under the EUPL license, OpenTalk allows its users to view the source code. This offers companies and public authorities more flexibility and control than is the case with proprietary alternatives.