Revise Computing
Revision notesQuestionsFor schools
Log inStart revising free
Revision notesQuestionsFor schoolsLog in
GCSE Computer Science/Paper 1/Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact

Software licences (i.e. open source and proprietary)

Legislation relevant to Computer Science: Software licences (i.e. open source and proprietary)

1.6.1 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact

Practise exam questions

Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact — Note 6 of 6

What you need to know

Software can be released under different licences. Open source software is freely available to use, modify, and distribute. Proprietary software is owned by a company, and users must pay for a licence to use it.

What to know

  • Open source advantages: free to use/modify/share, can be adapted to specific needs, often supported by a large community.
  • Open source disadvantages: no official customer support, may require technical skill to install and use.
  • Proprietary advantages: well-tested and reliable, official customer support, may not require complex installation.
  • Proprietary disadvantages: must be paid for, cannot be modified or customised, user depends on the company for updates.

Key terms

Open Source Software

Software where the source code is publicly available. Anyone can use, modify, and distribute it for free.

Proprietary Software

Software owned by an individual or company. The source code is kept secret, and users must buy a licence to use it.

Exam technique

  • Tip:Comparison questions are common. Give at least TWO advantages and TWO disadvantages for each type.
  • Mistake:Saying open source is 'less secure'. Open source can actually be MORE secure because the code is reviewed by many developers.
  • Tip:Benefits to DEVELOPER of proprietary: (1) can earn money by selling licences, (2) no one can see/steal the code, (3) more control over intellectual property.
  • Tip:Benefits to USERS of open source: (1) free of charge, (2) can modify/adapt to their needs, (3) can fix bugs themselves, (4) can learn how the software works.
  • Mistake:Giving benefits to the WRONG party. If asked about benefits to the programmer, don't give user benefits (and vice versa).
  • Tip:For 8-mark extended response on open source vs proprietary: cover features, legal/ethical issues, benefits and drawbacks for BOTH types, and give a JUSTIFIED recommendation at the end.
  • Tip:Both open source and proprietary provide copyright — this is NOT a difference. The difference is in access to source code and freedom to modify.

Ready to test yourself?

Practise 1.6.1 questions
← Previous noteCopyright Designs and Patents Act 19881.6.1 Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact

Back to Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact

Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental impact

Note 6 of 6

  1. 1Ethical issues; Legal issues; Cultural issues; Environmental issues; Privacy issues
  2. 2The Data Protection Act 2018; Computer Misuse Act 1990; Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988; Software licences (i.e. open source and proprietary)
  3. 3The Data Protection Act 2018
  4. 4Computer Misuse Act 1990
  5. 5Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988
  6. 6Software licences (i.e. open source and proprietary)
Topic overview

© 2026 Revise Computing · revisecomputing.co.uk

Privacy noticeTermsContact

Revise Computing is an independent revision resource. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations).