ITPEC IP October 2025 Question 74
ITPEC IP October 2025 — Question 74 of 100
Public domain software can be copied or modified without obtaining the author's permission — it is not restricted by active copyright in the way ordinary proprietary software is.
Software may enter the public domain because copyright has expired, does not apply, or the rightsholder has validly dedicated the work to the public where the law permits. Users should still verify the actual status and any accompanying terms.
Answer (c)
Why not others:
- (a) Shareware is distributed for trial or limited use but remains copyrighted and subject to its license
- (b) Package software describes a commercial distribution form
- (d) Utility software describes function, such as maintenance or file management, not copyright status
Key rule: Price and copyright are separate: free-of-charge software may still impose license restrictions; public-domain status removes copyright restrictions.
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