paid or paid for

[Peter Chan]

When a software can be obtained free of charge, it is a free software.

When a software has to be bought, it is a paid software or paid for software.

 

[Raymott]

When [STRIKE]a[/STRIKE] software can be obtained free of charge, it is[STRIKE] a[/STRIKE] free software.
No, it is "free software". We don't use 'a' before software. It's uncountable. In any case, in many cases where software can be obtained free of charge, it is pirated or stolen software.
When [STRIKE]a [/STRIKE]software has to be bought, it is[STRIKE] a[/STRIKE] paid software or paid for software.

It's commercial software.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Free software can also be called "freeware" or "shareware".

 

[Matthew Wai]

'Shareware' is free 'for a short time before you decide whether to buy it'── quoted from http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/shareware

Not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Sometimes. But I have downloaded free shareware many times.

 

[Matthew Wai]

We don't use 'a' before software.

Perhaps we can say 'a piece of software'.

Not a teacher.

 

[emsr2d2]

You can but it's not necessary.

Software can be downloaded here. :tick:
Some software can be downloaded here. :tick:
A piece of software can be downloaded here. :tick:

A software can be downloaded here. :cross:

 

[Matthew Wai]

"Many pieces of software can be downloaded here.'
"Much software can be downloaded here.'

I think the first one is correct. How about the second?

Not a teacher.

 

[Tdol]

The second's OK, though we tend to use a lot of/lots of in positive sentences instead of much with uncountable nouns.

 

[Tdol]

Sometimes. But I have downloaded free shareware many times.

True, but more so in the good old days.