The information contained here is for informational purposes only and pertains specifically to software licensing within the IBM Passport Advantage Program.
For exact terms and conditions which govern the usage of a specific software program, refer to the software's License Agreement including the License Information Documents and any additional agreement under which the software was obtained such as the IBM International Passport Advantage Agreement (94KB)
Use the links below to learn more
Licensing IBM software
IBM grants a non-exclusive license to use IBM Passport Advantage software when you lawfully obtain it up to the level of use specified in the Proof of Entitlement (PoE). IBM licenses software either on a one-time charge or term basis.
- A One Time Charge (OTC) license grants the use of the specific version / release of the software obtained indefinitely, as long as the customer complies with the terms of the license agreement.
- A term license (or Fixed Term License, or FTL) grants the use of the software over a limited time period, or term (typically 12 months) as long as the customer complies with the terms of the license agreement.
One Time Charge (OTC) license - "License + Software Subscription and Support 12 Months"
The "License + Software Subscription and Support 12 Months" OTC license grants the right to:
- indefinitely use the specific version/release of the software obtained
- receive Software Subscription and Support (also referred to as Software Maintenance) for a period of 12 months
At the end of the 12 months, the Software Subscription and Support is renewable for another 12 months (at the prevailing price), referred to as "Annual Software Subscription and Support Renewal 12 Months". In some countries, this is automatically renewed unless you notify IBM or your business partner of your intent to not renew it. If Software Subscription and Support is not renewed, you will no longer receive the benefits of Software Subscription and Support but you may still use the software according to the license agreement.
Term license - "Initial Fixed Term License + Software Subscription and Support 12 Months"
The "Initial Fixed Term License + Software Subscription and Support 12 Months" term license grants the right to:
- use the software for a period of 12 months only
- receive Software Subscription and Support (also referred to as Software Maintenance) for a period of 12 months
At the end of the term (12 months), the license may be renewed for an additional 12 month term (at the prevailing price). When you renew your Fixed Term License in the second year, and in each year after, this is referred to as a "Subsequent Fixed Term License + Software Subscription and Support 12 Months". If the license is not renewed, you will no longer have the rights to use the software, will no longer be entitled to the benefits of Software Subscription and Support, and you must destroy all copies of the software.
User based licensing
Authorized user
Authorized User is the metric by which this software's license entitlements are obtained. An Authorized User is one and only one specific individual user (named or unnamed) within or outside your enterprise. Proofs of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for each individual user accessing the software in any manner. Software licensed under an Authorized User metric may be installed on one or more computers or servers, and accessed by multiple users, provided that a Proof of Entitlement (PoE) has been obtained for each individual user accessing the software either directly or indirectly (via a multiplexing software, device, or application server) through any means on behalf of the user.
Example: If you obtain one Authorized User license, you may assign that license to one specific individual user only, who may then use the software. The Authorized User license does not entitle a second person to use that software at any time, even if the licensed individual user is not actively using it.
Note: Some software offers entitlements of this type in a specific quantity, e.g., 20 Authorized Users.
Concurrent user (also "Floating user")
Concurrent User is the metric by which this software's license entitlements are obtained. A Concurrent User is one and only one individual user within or outside your enterprise. Software licensed under a Concurrent User metric may be installed on a single computer or server, and accessed by multiple users, provided that a Proof of Entitlement(PoE) has been obtained for the highest number of users that will ever simultaneously access the software or any software components either directly or indirectly (via a multiplexing software, device, or application server) through any means on behalf of the user. A Concurrent User license for the software can be shared among users; however, the total number of Concurrent Users accessing the software at any one time cannot exceed the number of Concurrent User entitlements obtained.
Example: If you obtain one Concurrent User license for the software, it can be shared among multiple users; however, no more than one user may access the software at a given time. If another user wants to access the software, they must wait until the original concurrent user is no longer accessing the software. If you obtain multiple Concurrent User licenses, then multiple users in your organization can use the software at any given time, up to the number of license entitlements obtained for the software.
Floating user: (see Concurrent user, above):
IBM Rational software uses the term "Floating User" and this is the same as Concurrent User, above. To use Floating User licenses, you must obtain applicable license keys and install the IBM Rational License Server. This server responds to end-user requests for access to the license keys; it will grant access to the number of floating users that matches the number of entitlements for which the organization obtained licenses.
Note: Some software offers entitlements of this type in a specific quantity, e.g., 20 Concurrent Users or 10 Floating Users.
User Value Unit (UVU):
User Value Unit (UVU) is the metric by which this software's license entitlements are obtained. User Value Unit entitlements are based on the number of users for the given software. A Proof of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for the appropriate number of User Value Units required for your environment as defined by the specific software terms. The User Value Unit entitlements are specific to the software and may not be exchanged, interchanged, or aggregated with User Value Unit entitlements of another software program. User Value Unit licensing offers price benefits for customers by enabling a lower cost of incremental growth of resources. To understand these benefits of User Value Unit licensing, and to determine how many User Value Units to obtain for the software, please contact IBM.
Processor core based licensing
Processor Value Unit (PVU)
Processor Value Unit (PVU) is the metric by which this software's license entitlements are obtained. Processor Value Unit entitlements based on processor families (vendors and brands). A Proof of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for the appropriate number of Processor Value Units based on the level or tier of all processor cores activated and available for use by the software on the server. Some software allows licensing to less than the full server, sometimes referred to as Sub-Capacity licensing. For software which offers Sub-Capacity licensing, if a server is partitioned utilizing eligible partitioning technologies, then a Proof of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for the appropriate number of Processor Value Units based on all activated processor cores available for use in each partition where the software runs or is managed by the software. Refer to the International Passport Advantage Agreement Attachment for Sub-Capacity Terms or the software's License Information to determine applicable sub-capacity terms. The Processor Value Unit entitlements are specific to the software and may not be exchanged, interchanged, or aggregated with Processor Value Unit entitlements of another software program.
To calculate the number of Processor Value Unit (PVU) entitlements required, refer to:
- PVU Table - for a general overview of PVUs for processor families (vendors and brands)
- PVU Calculator - to calculate exact PVU entitlements required for the software
Note: Some software offers entitlements of this type in a quantity of 10 PVUs.
Resource based licensing
Client device
A client device is a computing device that requests the execution of a set of commands, procedures, or applications from another computer system that is typically referred to as a server. Multiple client devices may share access to a common server. A client device generally has some processing capability or is programmable to allow a user to do work. A Proof of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for each client device accessing the software in any manner.
Examples include, but are not limited to: appliances, automated teller machines, cash registers, desktop computers, kiosks, notebook computers, personal digital assistant, point-of-sale terminals, and technical workstations.
Note: Some software offers entitlements of this type in a specific quantity, e.g., 20 client devices.
Server
A server is a computer system that executes requested procedures, commands, or applications to one or more user or client devices. A Proof of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for each server regardless of the number of processors cores and partitions in the server on which the software runs or each server managed by the software. Where blade technology is employed, each blade is considered a separate server.
Resource Value Unit (RVU)
Resource Value Unit (RVU) is the metric by which this software’s license entitlements are obtained. Resource Value Unit entitlements are based on the quantity of a specific designated measurement for the given software. A Proof of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for the appropriate number of Resource Value Units required for your environment as defined by the specific software terms. The Resource Value Unit entitlements are specific to the software and may include, but are not limited to the following: client devices, data source records, messages, servers, etc., and may not be exchanged, interchanged, or aggregated with Resource Value Unit entitlements of another software program. Resource Value Unit licensing offers price benefits for customers by enabling a lower cost of incremental growth of resources. To understand these benefits of Resource Value Unit licensing, and to determine how many Resource Value Units to obtain for the software, please contact IBM.
VU Value Unit
VU Value Unit is the metric by which this software’s license entitlements are obtained. VU Value Unit entitlements are based on the quantity of a specific designated measurement, either users or resources, for the given software. A Proof of Entitlement (PoE) must be obtained for the appropriate number of VU Value Units required for your environment as defined by the specific software terms. The VU Value Unit entitlements are specific to the software and may not be exchanged, interchanged, or aggregated with VU Value Unit entitlements of another software program. VU Value Unit licensing offers price benefits for customers by enabling a lower cost of incremental growth. To understand these benefits of VU Value Unit licensing, and to determine how many VU Value Units to obtain for the software, please contact IBM.
Glossary of terms and other information
Proof of Entitlement (PoE)
A Proof of Entitlement (PoE) is evidence that confirms the eligible software and level of use for which you are authorized. All eligible software is provided to you subject to the terms of the IBM International Passport Advantage Agreement.
Software Subscription and Support
IBM provides Software Subscription and Support with each IBM software program licensed under the IBM International Passport Advantage Agreement. Software Subscription and Support begins on the date the software is obtained and ends 12 months later (on the last day of the corresponding month in the following year), unless the date of acquisition is the first day of the month, in which case coverage ends on the last day of the month.
While IBM Software Subscription and Support is in effect for the software license:
- IBM will make available to you and authorize you to use the most current commercially available version, release, or update, should any be made available.
- IBM provides you assistance for your:
- routine, short duration installation and usage (how-to) questions; and
- code-related questions (“Support”). Such Support for a particular version or release of the software is available only until IBM or the third party, as applicable, withdraws Support for that software’s version or release. When Support is withdrawn, you must upgrade to a supported version or release of the software in order to continue to receive Support. See the IBM Software Support Lifecycle policy.
- IBM provides assistance via telephone and, if available, electronic access, to your information systems (IS) technical support personnel during the normal business hours of your IBM support center. Consult the IBM Software Support Handbook for details.
- IBM may request that you allow it to remotely access your system to assist you in isolating the software problem cause. You remain responsible for adequately protecting your system and all data contained in it whenever IBM remotely accesses it with your permission.
IBM Software Subscription and Support does not include assistance for:
- the design and development of applications,
- your use of the software in other than their specified operating environment or
- failures caused by software for which IBM is not responsible under this Agreement.
Related information
IBM International Passport Advantage Agreement (95KB)
Attachment for Sub-Capacity Terms (15KB)