Software can be sold in the widest variety of formats, for
example based on a data carrier, by transfer of a master copy on a
data carrier, by online download, in OEM models or for online use
(cloud computing, ASP, etc.).
With ever greater frequency open source software is becoming a topic at corporate acquisitions, and not only where the sale or acquisition of software enterprises is concerned.
The term "Cloud Computing" is generally used to describe services through which a company accesses software applications, databases, infrastructure and related services via the Internet or other networks.