License descriptions

As a purchaser of an IBM® Rational® software product, you can choose from three types of product licenses: an Authorized User license, an Authorized User Fixed Term License (FTL), and a Floating license. The best choice for your organization depends upon how many people use the product, how often they require access, and how you prefer to purchase software.

If you have installed the Stater Edition of the product, you do not need any of the following licenses to activate the product. With the Starter Edition, you only need the run time license to run a load test of more than five users.

Authorized User license

An IBM Rational Authorized User license authorizes an individual to use a Rational software product. Purchasers must obtain an Authorized User license for each individual user who accesses the product in any manner. An Authorized User license cannot be reassigned unless the purchaser replaces the original assignee on a long-term or permanent basis.

For example, if you purchase one Authorized User license, you can assign that license to one individual who can use the Rational software product exclusively. The Authorized User license does not authorize a second individual to use that product at any time, even if the licensed individual is not using the product.

Authorized User Fixed Term License

An IBM Rational Authorized User Fixed Term License (FTL) authorizes an individual to use a Rational software product for a specific length of time (the term). Purchasers must obtain an Authorized User FTL for each individual user who accesses the product in any manner. An Authorized User FTL cannot be reassigned unless the purchaser replaces the original assignee on a long-term or permanent basis.

Note: When you purchase an Authorized User FTL under the IBM Passport Advantage® Express® program, IBM automatically extends the license term for an additional year at the prevailing price unless you notify IBM before the license expires that you do not want an extension. The subsequent FTL term starts when the initial FTL term expires. The price for this subsequent term is currently 80% of the initial FTL price, but is subject to change.

If you notify IBM that you do not want to extend the license term, then you must stop using the product when the license expires.

Floating license

An IBM Rational Floating license is a license for a single software product that can be shared among multiple team members; however, the total number of concurrent users cannot exceed the number of floating licenses you purchase. For example, if you purchase one floating license for a Rational software product, then any user in your organization can use the product at any given time. Another person who wants to access the product must wait until the current user logs off.

To use floating licenses, you must obtain floating license keys and install them on a Rational License Server. The server responds to user requests for access to the license keys; the server grants access to the number of concurrent users that equals the number of licenses the organization purchased.

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