Token-as-a-License or TaaL is the type of token EZYcount use in its token sale (https://www.ezycount.ch/en/ico)

TaaL is the solution to current issues with software licenses. I do believe that in the short-term, we will see a lot more TaaL being created. I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft TaaL, Adobe TaaL, Steam TaaL or Google TaaL are launched soon.

In this CEO blog, I'm not going to discuss what is a token or what is the blockchain for more information, please check our white paper I'm going to talk about the following points

1. Current issues with software licensing
2. TaaL - Blockchain as a solution
3. Current challenges for a wide acceptance

Current issues with software licensing

Software companies face challenges enforcing software rights. Interestingly, not all countries accept copyrights laws (The convention of Bern is ratified by 176 from the 196 countries of the world).

Furthermore, there is a constant race between software creators and hackers. Software creators want to distribute widely their software and receive payment for the work done.

The result is that some software creators are investing substantial amounts in license security or create a business model where the end user who purchased the license do not fully possess the license; these are typically SaaS busines models.

For example, I bought last month a Google Drive subscription for 20$ to store some of my personal data in the cloud. The only physical proof I have is an email. All rights are completely tied to my email address. If I lose access to my email address, I lose my license.

Finally, laws in the US and in Europe guarantee the right to resell a software license when you bought it. As the buyer, you owned it and you have the right to resell it. Current license business model makes this very complicated or even impossible.

TaaL - Blockchain as a solution

At EZYcount, we created lifelong software licenses and tokenized them. You can find the asset on the Ardor blockchain (on the child chain Ignis) here Asset ID: 14004020396567362190

When someone purchases the license, we transfer the tokens to their wallet. They have a clear proof of ownership of the license which only they can manage. Moreover, they can transfer, give, sell the tokens or even buy more tokens. All these processes are secured by the blockchain!

The asset even gives a platform the asset exchange, where owners can buy and sell the tokens.

As software creators, this is fantastic. Without having to code a line, we can offer all these valuable properties to our software licenses.

For us, the only code we implement is to allow the user of our solution to input its wallet address and checks if that wallet contains the tokens. We also need to check that the user using the wallet owns the wallet by asking him to send a simple message from his/her wallet.

By integrating our software licenses on the blockchain Ardor, we make our licenses a lot more valuable and collectible. We make them scarce.

Current challenges for a wide acceptance

I see two main challenges for a wider acceptance of TaaL: Education and Usability

Education
At the moment, when I say TaaL to someone, I need to explain what TaaL stands for. For professionals in the software business, it was the same with SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) years ago. When most potential software buyers will know what is TaaL the change will come faster.

Usability
Currently, it is still complicated to own TaaL. You need a software blockchain wallet with the tokens on it. Progress have made creating such a wallet a lot more easier, you don't need to be an IT professional to do it but you still need some time to understand it and use it correctly.
Once easy to use solutions to store and transfer TaaL are on the market, it will be a lot more easier for potential customers to buy TaaL and receive the added value of Token-as-a-License on the blockchain Vs standard software licenses.

If you have questions or comments, please write them down here and I'll answer them.

Have a great week!

Vivien, CEO EZYcount