Welcome to the Apple Developer Connection Frequently Asked Questions page. These pages provide answers to frequently asked questions about our membership programs, products, and services. Due to the high volume of email we receive, we cannot respond to every question or suggestion, but we are interested in what you have to say. If after reading the Apple Developer Connection FAQ, you still have a question, please contact us.

Software Licensing

1. Who needs to be licensed?
2. Why do I need to be licensed?
3. When do I need to contact the Software Licensing Department?
4. When do I need to complete a new Agreement or Addendum?
5. How is the new Mac logo program different from the previous program?
6. What happened to the Built for Mac OS X trademark agreement?
7. How do I contact Software Licensing?
8. Upon completion, what do I do with Apple's Software Licensing Agreements?

1. Who needs to be licensed?

If you use all or part of any Apple software in a program that will be distributed to other people, you need to license the use of that software from Apple Computer, Inc. Apple Trademarks must also be licensed for use. This is true whether the product will be sold, used internally,or given away. It's true for commercial vendors and educators. It's true for old, new, and future Apple products. Licensable Apple Software and Trademarks include QuickTime, Apple Game Sprockets, OpenGL, Open Transport, the Mac OS Logo, the FireWire Trademark and Built for MacOS X Logo, and others. Software Licensing Agreements in Adobe Acrobat format.
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2. Why do I need to be licensed?

We license our software in order to protect our legal rights. Apple's intellectual property--consisting of our name, our logo, our trademarks, and our copyrighted material--is a valuable corporate asset. All Apple software is copyrighted, and it is illegal for anyone to redistribute it without a license. Our Software Distribution Agreement allows developers to use and distribute Apple software in combination with their products.
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3. When do I need to contact the Software Licensing Department?

Contact the Software Licensing department before producing written materials (such as manuals and disk labels) associated with your product, because there are several legal requirements of which you may need to be aware. For example, Apple requires developers to include a warranty disclaimer and other legal information in their manual. Developers must execute a license agreement before distributing a product containing Apple software.
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4. When do I need to complete a new Agreement or Addendum?

If the Apple software undergoes a version upgrade, you do not necessarily need to complete a new agreement or addedum if you to ship this updated version of the Apple Software with your product. Depending on the Apple Software and the version upgrade, no agreement may be necessary, or you may need to complete an addendum. Please see the agreements online section for more information, or contact Software Licensing.

If you have signed a Software Distribution Agreement (SDA) with Apple and this agreement is current, you do not need to complete another SDA. You only need to complete the appropriate Addendum.

When renewing an agreement you do not have to sign any other addenda unless Apple includes a letter and new agreement. Any Addenda enclosed with your renewals are for NEW products that you wish to add to your agreement. If you have no new products, do not complete the Addenda.

If there is any confusion as to which agreements you need to download for a specific contract, do not hesitate to email or call Software Licensing.
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5. How is the new Mac logo program different from the previous program?

The previous Mac logo trademark license agreement allowed the Mac logo to be used with products that operated in the Classic environment of Mac OS X. The new Mac logo can ONLY be used by products that operate natively in Mac OS X; not Classic, Mac OS 9, or any previous version of the Mac OS.
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6. What happened to the Built for Mac OS X trademark?

During the transition to Mac OS X, the Built for Mac OS X trademark helped users differentiate products that operated natively in Mac OS X from those that operated only in the Classic environment of Mac OS X. Now that the Mac OS X transition is complete, there is no longer a need for the Built for Mac OS X trademark.
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7. How do I contact Software Licensing?

Apple Computer, Inc.
Software Licensing Dept
12545 Riata Vista Circle, MS: 198-3SWL
Austin, TX 78727
Phone: (512) 674-2645
email: sw.license@apple.com

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept faxed or emailed agreement forms. All agreements must be originally signed and sent to the address below via post.
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8. Upon completion, what do I do with Apple's Software Licensing Agreements?

After you've downloaded and completed the appropriate agreement(s) and any required addendum(s), simply send them by mail (post) to:

Apple Computer, Inc.
Software Licensing Dept
12545 Riata Vista Circle, MS: 198-3SWL
Austin, TX 78727
Phone: (512) 674-2645
email: sw.license@apple.com

Be sure to include an authorized, original signature (no photocopies.) For agreements that require Apple's signature, two (2) originally signed copies should be sent. Please note that if you do not send two copies you will not receive your signed copy in return.

Please email Software Licensing if you have any problems downloading the files.

International distributors must complete the International Letter of Assurance and Product End User Questionnaire (HQX) and include this with their agreement.

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