Software licenses really are what you are paying for when you buy software. The software itself is important, but you are paying for a license to use that software. In order to get the most from the software you buy, it's important to properly maintain the associated licenses.
What is a License?
You don't really own any software when you buy it--you own the rights to use it on a limited basis. This is what the license represents. Most software products require the use of a license number. The number is usually entered sometime during or right after the installation. The license number keeps you from installing the same software on multiple computers when it is only licensed for one computer to use. Some programs let the manufacturer know that a license is in use and which computer it is installed on when the computer is online.
Backup
Always keep backup copies of all your software, including the associated licenses. You may have receipts, emails or certificates with licenses all over the place. It's a good idea to keep all your license information in one place. Keep a copy online as well as a paper copy that includes all your license information and the software to which each license belongs. Make photocopies of your paper list and digital copies of the document that contains all your license information.
Update
Some software is installable without entering your license number directly because it is built into the disc or because the software is cheap enough that the manufacturer is not concerned about copying. If possible, try to find licenses for software that has the license number built in just in case the disc is lost and backup copies do not work.
Other software licenses require that you type the number in during installation, but some licenses limit the number of installations with one license number. Contact the manufacturer in this case and ask them to authorize additional installations if possible. Sometimes an older computer will be registered as having the software installed even when that computer no longer belongs to you or the software has since been removed. Software manufacturers can remove these older computers from their registers.
Tags: license number, your license, license information, your license information, associated licenses