No. Once your Subscription and Support (S&S) lapses, you will no longer have access to download newly released Fix Packs or software versions from the OEM vendor. However, you may continue to use and deploy any Fix Packs and software versions released before your S&S ended, provided you downloaded and stored those files while your entitlement was active.
For example:
If a customer’s S&S for Product A ended on 30 September 2020, and Version 5.1 was released on 1 January 2020 while Version 5.2 was released on 10 October 2020, the customer is entitled to use Version 5.1 (released during the active S&S period) but not Version 5.2 (released after S&S lapsed).
To remain compliant and retain access to entitled software, Origina’s expert software entitlement team advises customers on which software versions and Fix Packs to download, how to capture them correctly, and how to securely store those files. Customers also have access to an in-depth manual entitlement capture guide that walks technical teams through the full process step-by-step.
When addressing vulnerabilities or requested functionality changes, Origina’s first step is to review whether an existing entitled Fix Pack applies. Where one is available, it can be deployed to resolve the issue. Origina also offers alternative methods for maintaining security and delivering enhancements that do not rely on specific OEM Fix Packs or version releases.
*This applies only to customers with perpetual software licenses. See “What is a Software License?” below for more information.
To learn more about the process of manually capturing entitlements, reach out to your account manager or get in contact with us.
To learn more about Origina’s approach to software security and the role Fix Packs play, click here.
To learn more about Origina’s software maintenance, click here.
Switching software support from OEM vendors to Origina is completely safe and legal. Origina has years of experience and the backing of a panel of expert legal advisors to help companies make the switch.
Most software under the IBM® Passport Advantage is perpetually licensed. Perpetually licensed software is not time-limited. This means that the end-user can continue to use the software, even if there isn’t an active Subscription and Support (S&S) contract in place.
Our panel of legal experts, which includes top intellectual property barristers from across Europe, can assist companies in understanding their contract and the legal complexities behind switching.
For an exact answer on whether your company can switch its software support to Origina, contact us for a Feasibility Assessment. Our Feasibility Assessment will evaluate which software is eligible for independent software support as well as provide an estimate of the annual savings that could be realized by switching to Origina.
Discover the value in switching to independent software support, work with us
In its simplest format, a software license gives end users the right to use a software application either on a perpetual or time-limited (subscription) basis. However, software licensing terms and conditions are often complex and confusing.
Origina has proven expertise in software licensing and understands the complex language found within the International Program License Agreement (IPLA). Our experts can assist you in clarifying your software license and entitlements.
Origina supports over 800 IBM, HCL and VMware products. These products are licensed on a perpetual basis, which means that they may be used indefinitely from the point of purchase. IBM describes these perpetual use licenses as “License + Software Subscription and Support 12 Months” licenses.
According to IBM’s website, these particular licenses give end users:
IBM notes that customers have the ability to renew Software Subscription and Support at the end of the 12-month period, though it may be automatically renewed in some countries unless the company alerts IBM or an IBM Business Partner of its desire not to renew Subscription and Support.
If Software Subscription and Support is not renewed, the customer will no longer gain access to new releases and versions or ongoing software support, but it will retain the right to use the software per the original software License Agreement, according to IBM.
Read our tips for surviving a license audit, or if you need help regarding your software licenses, including whether independent software support from Origina is possible, connect with us.