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Multi-Core Chips And Software Licensing

Posted by timothy on from the now-waitaminute-there dept.

i_r_sensitive writes "NetworkWorldFusion has an article on the interaction between multi-core processors and software licensed and charged on a per-processor basis. Interesting to see how/if Oracle and others using this pricing model react. Can multi-core processors put the final nail in per-processor licensing?"

3 of 248 comments (clear)

  1. Per Processor -- Per Core by Iesus_Christus · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If the efforts of other corporations bent on protecting their intellectual property (RIAA) are any indication, per-processor licensing will move to per-core licensing. If the RIAA can force you to pay multiple times for the same song (which you, unfortunately, cannot move between preferred mediums), then it would make sense that software companies bent on collecting money would make you pay multiple times for one processor. On the other hand, they are somewhat different issues: usage of music would be governed under fair use (in theory), while usage of software (at in terms of licensing per processor) would be governed by the EULA or another contract between the corporation and customer.

  2. Re:I doubt it by jarich · · Score: 5, Interesting
    "Can multi-core processors put the final nail in per processor licensing?"

    no, but i bet linux can.

    Oracle runs on Linux.

    Oracle charges per CPU.

    Your point was?

    --
    Agile Artisans
  3. Re:I doubt it by globalar · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Oracle charges for cores individually. (see the Processor section)

    Perhaps a compromise will result. Eventually a 2CPU license could entirely replace a single CPU license. At such a stage licenses could be bundled as 2CPU, 4CPU, etc. As multicores become the norm, naturally 1CPU licenses should phase out entirely.

    This would allow companies to keep their per core licensing scheme. Customers would get the feeling of a deal by getting a muticore license. Perhaps the market would lower the cost of 2CPU license to what a single CPU would be worth.

    HT is another matter - architecturally and performance-wise.