IMPORTANT: This post analyzes the legal protection of software, the use of licenses, and the risks associated with using computer programs without authorization, in accordance with the regulatory framework in effect at the time of publication. Currently, any analysis of software, intellectual property, open-source or proprietary licenses, technology compliance, cybersecurity, data protection, due diligence, or civil or criminal liability must be reviewed in light of the specific case, the current Intellectual Property Law, the Penal Code, data protection regulations, and current standards for security and corporate compliance.
Software
The term software is of English origin and has been defined by the RAE as the set of programs, instructions, and computer rules for executing certain rules on a computer. Software must therefore be understood as the intangible content of a computer, as opposed to its physical components, collectively referred to as hardware.
Software. Legal Protection. Intellectual Property.
As regulated in Article 96 LPI, software is understood as “any sequence of instructions or indications intended to be used, directly or indirectly, in a computer system to perform a function or task to obtain a specific result, regardless of its form of fixation“. These are, therefore, all those programs and routines that enable the obtaining of specific results.
Software is regulated and protected by law, as it is considered an intellectual work, similar to scientific, artistic, or literary creations. This is established in Article 10.1(i) of the LPI, which recognizes that computer programs are subject to intellectual property, and, in relation to Article 1 of the law, such works belong to their author by the mere fact of being so, and with its Article 2, which recognizes intellectual property as a personal and patrimonial right and grants the creator full disposition and exploitation thereof, with no limitations other than those contemplated by law
There are different types of software, depending on their utility or use. They can be summarized into three main groups:
First, system software, which allows the user to interact with the hardware to manage resources and use the interface, thereby obtaining better performance from the operating system installed on their device. Notable examples include Microsoft Windows, GNU Linux, Mac OS, Android, etc.
Second, programming software, which enables the development of applications and the creation of different types of software through programming and logic. An example of this is Java or Android SDK.
Finally, application or utility software, through which the user can perform certain specific tasks on a device, such as word processing or image editing. We can find educational, medical, administrative applications, among others.
Free Software and Licensed Software.
Although this is the classic or traditional classification of software types, they can also be classified according to the rights of their author, which is much more relevant from a legal standpoint. Based on this, two types of software must be distinguished:
Open-source software does not necessarily mean that the programs are free; it should be understood as software that can be freely used, copied, modified, and distributed.
Proprietary or private license software refers to all those computer programs in which users likewise have the possibility to use, modify, or redistribute them, but with limitations. These cannot be copied or installed without paying for a usage license. A widely known example is Microsoft Office.
Unlicensed Software. Security and Business Risks.
The use of unlicensed software entails a series of consequences for companies, among which the following should be highlighted:
1.- Cybersecurity risk, given the possibility that malware programs could be installed on the company’s computers (spyware, ransomware, etc.). These are known as malicious software and can take various forms; the most well-known are viruses. They are installed on devices without the owners’ knowledge. They can affect both individuals and companies; in the case of companies, this can be especially dangerous, particularly for those that handle personal data on their devices, in addition to jeopardizing employee or customer data due to a lack of diligence, which could constitute a violation of the Data Protection Act and result in penalties that, depending on the circumstances, to as much as 20 million euros, in addition to the financial damage that a company may suffer from having computers infected with viruses, leading to the loss of documents, the possibility of espionage by competitors, etc.
2.- In cases of mergers and acquisitions of companies, as well as investment and contracting with other companies, in which a purchase audit or “Due Diligence” is conducted (a procedure by which a company is investigated in search of certain aspects or factors that are unknown or hidden and are relevant to such operations), a company that uses unlicensed computer programs, with the risk that this entails, may be excluded from such process.
3.- It is grounds for denial of credit by banking institutions if it is considered that this lack of diligence may compromise its solvency. For the same reason, grants and subsidies from Public Administrations may be denied.
4.- It may result in the termination of a contract with the administration when these obligations have been classified as essential and are thus contemplated in the administrative clauses specifications.
5.- Cessation in the use of illegally acquired products during the judicial process, with the corresponding economic cost that this may entail.
6.- It may result in the loss of ISO 9001 certification. This certification attests that the company’s activities comply with an ISO quality standard. Section 6.3 of the ISO 9001 certification (which refers to infrastructure) includes software; the use of proprietary or private software without a license may result in the loss of this certification.
7.- Loss of reputation and prestige, as clients or other companies will hardly agree to provide information to a company convicted of fraudulent use of software. Its economic cost is much greater than the expenditure for acquiring licenses, which may even compromise the future of the company.
Unlicensed Software. Legal Risks.
In addition to the foregoing, and taking into consideration the protection that the law grants to software as Intellectual Property, its use without a license also entails legal risks, particularly the following:
1.- Civil liability actions before the courts for such infringements by the holder of the exploitation rights against the company that uses them without acquiring the pertinent licenses, bearing in mind that this type of amount is not covered by civil liability insurance.
2.- Criminal consequences, contemplated in Article 270.1 of the Criminal Code for the commission of a crime against intellectual property, with a prison sentence of six months to four years and a fine of twelve to twenty-four months, when a direct or indirect economic benefit is obtained to the detriment of a third party by exploiting a work without the authorization of its owners or assignees.
Bearing in mind that, following recent reforms, the criminal liability of legal entities is contemplated with a fine according to the benefit obtained, as regulated in Article 288 of the Criminal Code. Such liability also affects those who hold management positions in the company that violates these provisions.
Author: Inés Rodríguez Martín.
Preguntas frecuentes sobre protección legal del software y licencias
¿Qué es el software desde el punto de vista jurídico?
Desde el punto de vista jurídico, el software es una creación protegible que puede incluir programas de ordenador, código fuente, código objeto, documentación técnica, interfaces, bases de datos asociadas y otros elementos vinculados a su desarrollo, explotación y mantenimiento.
¿El software está protegido por propiedad intelectual?
Sí. El software se protege principalmente mediante derechos de propiedad intelectual, siempre que cumpla los requisitos legales aplicables. Esta protección permite al titular controlar su reproducción, distribución, transformación, explotación y uso conforme a las condiciones establecidas en la licencia correspondiente.
¿Qué diferencia hay entre software libre y software propietario?
El software propietario suele limitar el uso, copia, modificación o distribución del programa conforme a una licencia cerrada. El software libre permite determinadas libertades de uso, estudio, modificación y redistribución, pero siempre dentro de las condiciones previstas en su licencia.
¿Software libre significa software gratuito?
No necesariamente. El software libre no equivale siempre a software gratuito. Puede ser gratuito o de pago, pero lo relevante es que la licencia reconoce determinadas libertades al usuario. Además, aunque sea libre, deben respetarse sus condiciones legales de uso, atribución, distribución o modificación.
¿Qué riesgos tiene usar software sin licencia en una empresa?
El uso de software sin licencia puede generar reclamaciones civiles, sanciones, indemnizaciones, daños reputacionales, problemas de compliance, incidencias de ciberseguridad y dificultades en auditorías, contratos con clientes, financiación o procesos de compraventa de empresas.
¿Puede haber responsabilidad penal por utilizar software sin licencia?
En determinados supuestos, el uso, reproducción, distribución o explotación no autorizada de software puede tener relevancia penal si concurren los elementos exigidos por el Código Penal en materia de delitos contra la propiedad intelectual. Cada caso debe analizarse según la conducta, finalidad, alcance y perjuicio causado.
¿Puede responder penalmente una empresa por software ilegal?
Sí, una empresa puede verse expuesta a responsabilidad si utiliza software no autorizado dentro de su actividad y concurren los requisitos legales para ello. Por eso es recomendable contar con políticas internas de licenciamiento, inventario de programas, controles de instalación y protocolos de cumplimiento normativo.
¿Por qué el software sin licencia puede afectar a una due diligence?
Porque en una due diligence se revisan los activos tecnológicos, contratos, licencias, titularidad del código, dependencias externas y riesgos legales. El uso de software sin licencia o mal documentado puede reducir el valor de una operación, generar contingencias o exigir regularizaciones antes del cierre.
¿Qué relación existe entre software, ciberseguridad y protección de datos?
El software puede afectar directamente a la seguridad de los sistemas y al tratamiento de datos personales. Programas no actualizados, sin soporte, sin licencia o de origen dudoso pueden aumentar riesgos de brechas de seguridad, accesos no autorizados, pérdida de información y posibles incumplimientos en materia de protección de datos.
¿Cómo puede ayudar IN DIEM Abogados?
IN DIEM Abogados puede asesorar en la revisión de licencias de software, contratos tecnológicos, protección de propiedad intelectual, auditorías legales, compliance digital, due diligence tecnológica, reclamaciones por uso no autorizado y prevención de riesgos legales vinculados a programas informáticos.
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