Following the introduction of new Copyright laws in Hong Kong it is appropriate to clear-up confusion about licensing of Anti-Virus software.
It is not possible to generalise very much - each developer has their own licensing terms, and even the terminology used varies considerably. Here we will talk about Updates and Upgrades. For the purposes of this article, an Update is a package of virus definitions, without any change to the basic functionality of the product - these may be referred to as "virus signatures", or "virus identity files (IDE)" etc. An Upgrade includes change(s) to the basic functionality of the product, it may be indicated by a change to the version number (e.g. 1.01 to 1.02), and this may include bug fixes or extra functions. Note that an Upgrade may have a large effect on the ability to catch viruses, for example, Bubbleboy was a virus that infected the body of email messages, a product that did not search email message bodies could not find it, even if it had an Update that included the recognition - an Upgrade that included "Scan email message bodies" functionality was also required.
One commonality is that the license will have a "size" - number of users, number of servers, gateways etc. Organisations should take care not to exceed any of these limits - enlarging a license is quite simple.
F-Secure
The initial purchase includes one-year "support and maintenance service", i.e. Upgrades and Updates, which can be renewed thereafter. If the "support and maintenance service" period expires, the user has the right to use the last Updates and Upgrades received (obviously, risking infection by a new virus). Because the infection risk is significant, F-Secure strongly recommends its' customers to have the ongoing support and maintenance service and also install the products updates on regular basis.
Symantec
The Symantec license is a perpetual license. Symantec Antivirus licenses include one year Updates and Upgrades. Users can then purchase Upgrade Insurance in order to continue enjoying the maintenance. During the maintenance period, users receive major Upgrades (e.g., 8.0 to 9.0) on CD and can download minor Upgrades (e.g. 8.0 to 8.1) and Updates from the Symantec site.
Sophos
Sophos Anti-Virus is sold on a subscription basis; therefore users are not entitled to use the software after their subscription expires. The initial license price includes the first-year subscription, which can be renewed thereafter. Multi-year licenses are available at a discount.
Disclaimer
While we believe these to be a fair and accurate summary of the licensing terms for the anti-virus products of these companies we cannot guarantee their accuracy, or that they have not changed since our research or the possibility that other details in the licenses do not change your situation. Please confirm your position with the developer(s) concerned.