Legal Definitions - closed source

Closed source refers to software where the original programming code, known as the "source code," is kept private and proprietary by the developer or company that created it. Users receive only the compiled, executable version of the software, which they can run but cannot inspect, modify, or redistribute the underlying instructions. Any unauthorized attempt to alter or access the source code would typically violate the software's license agreement, potentially leading to legal consequences or rendering the program unusable.

• Example 1: A Popular Operating System

  Imagine you are using a widely known operating system on your personal computer. You might wish to customize a core function of the system beyond the options provided in the settings, perhaps to optimize how it manages memory for a specific type of application. However, because this operating system is closed source, you cannot access its foundational programming code to implement such a deep modification yourself. You are limited to the features and customization options the developer has chosen to expose, and attempting to alter the compiled program directly would likely violate your user agreement and could destabilize your computer.

• Example 2: A Specialized Business Accounting Software

  A small business relies on a specific accounting software package to manage its finances. The business grows and develops a unique internal process that would be much more efficient if directly integrated into the accounting software's core logic. Since the accounting software is closed source, the business cannot hire its own programmers to modify the software's fundamental operations to accommodate this new process. They must either adapt their process to fit the existing software, request the software vendor to develop a custom feature (which may be costly or impossible), or seek a different solution, as they lack the ability to directly alter the proprietary code.

• Example 3: A Mobile Gaming Application

  Consider a popular mobile game you downloaded from an app store. You might be curious about how the game's artificial intelligence (AI) makes decisions, or you might want to understand exactly how it handles your personal data. Because the game is closed source, you cannot view the underlying programming instructions that dictate the AI's behavior or the data processing routines. You must rely on the developer's descriptions and privacy policy, as you do not have the ability to independently examine the code to verify its functionality or data practices.