When you purchase copyrighted software, what actually are you paying for?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When you purchase copyrighted software, you are paying for the right to use it. This right is granted to you by the software developer or publisher, who retains ownership of the underlying code and intellectual property. The cost of the CDs, manuals, and development may be included in the purchase price, but it is ultimately the right to use the software that is being purchased.

When You Purchase Copyrighted Software, What Actually Are You Paying