This IDC study defines the classification scheme, or taxonomy, used by IDC's Global Software Business Strategies group to analyze the software licensing strategies of vendors and requirements of end-user organizations. IDC's software pricing and licensing taxonomy represents a fundamental view of the way software is created, priced, sold, and supported. This document includes:

• General licensing definitions
• A description of the software productization framework
• The multiple dimensions of software pricing and licensing

All areas are described at an aggregate level and will be updated in studies to be released later this year.

"The purpose of the software pricing and licensing is to help create a common detailed framework from which to build strategy, and to provide a road map to help readers better understand and use IDC research," said Amy Konary, research director for Software Pricing, Licensing, and Delivery research at IDC.