Russian companies began to offer general software licenses for Windows and Linux
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Russian software companies have begun to more actively offer customers their developments under the terms of a “universal license” – it covers the use of the program on both Windows and Linux. Foreign vendors and some Russian ones have already switched to a similar model, but in the Russian Federation it has gained relevance in the light of legal requirements for changing software. One of the developers is positioning this format as a way to purchase software licenses for Windows, bypassing internal restrictions. Market participants clarify that this is exclusively about simplifying migration.
Kommersant asked Russian software developers about the terms of the licenses under which they sell their products – in particular, whether the same license gives the right to use a version of the program on the Windows and Linux operating systems. The opportunity to purchase software under the terms of such a “universal license” was revealed on October 26 by the head of the technology development department of the developer of information security solutions “Aladdin” Denis Sukhovey. At the presentation of the Secret Disk 2.0 information security tool for Linux, he said that the company will allow “to purchase certified software for Linux and at the same time gain the right to use the company’s software for Windows.” A universal license, he said, is intended for situations “when budget restrictions no longer allow purchasing (software for.— “Kommersant”) Windows, but it’s too early to buy Linux.”
PIX Robotics (IT solutions for small and medium-sized businesses) also reported to Kommersant about the introduction of a universal license for its products. Such licensing conditions, as the company’s commercial director Vyacheslav Musolov said, were introduced in October, when the company’s products had a full-fledged version for Linux: “We expect that mass migration of users to it will begin in 2024.” The Glazar company (which develops a building control system) said that they are still developing a version of their software on Linux: “But those who are now ordering or piloting a system on Windows will in the near future have the opportunity to install the package on the Linux kernel at no additional cost – at least if no integration work is required.” The company announced this opportunity to customers “in July-August.”
Around the world, the idea of one license to work in different operating systems was promoted by products distributed by subscription. This concept, however, is also implemented when releasing some software with a one-time purchase. Thus, the Microsoft Office office suite for Windows and macOS began to be distributed under a universal license from version 2016, SoftMaker Office for Windows, macOS and Linux – from version 2021. Some software from foreign developers (for example, for working with Affinity graphics) can be purchased as per universal license and for a specific OS.
Russian developers actually follow trends “that have long been set by foreign vendors,” notes Dmitry Miroshnik, director of the product business support department at Softline Group of Companies: “This allows us to simplify the use of products on different platforms.”
Some of the Russian companies surveyed noted that they have long offered a license covering use on different operating systems. “MyOffice” has been providing this opportunity “since the launch of its products on the market in 2016,” said the company’s product marketing director Petr Shcheglov: “This allows you to easily implement application software, starting on foreign operating systems, and smoothly switch to using domestic ones.”
Companies whose infrastructure falls under the criteria of critical information infrastructure (banks, fuel and energy complexes, telecom companies, etc. will be prohibited from using foreign software from 2025) are unlikely to slow down the transition to Russian Linux distributions due to the “universality” of licenses, including including due to the risk of liability, even criminal, says Roman Karpov, head of the cybersecurity committee of the ARPP Domestic Soft: “Rather, such licenses will allow, while the company is switching from one OS to another, not to put the purchase of new application software on pause.” And companies that are not subject to such requirements are unlikely to have directives banning the purchase of new foreign software, “and they will base their selection of products on other characteristics – for example, the time of release of new versions to the market.”
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