orc-and-parquet-license-description.md
Vertica licenses can include a raw data allowance. Since 2016, Vertica licenses have allowed you to use ORC and Parquet data in external tables. This data has always counted against any raw data allowance in your license. Previously, the audit of data in ORC and Parquet format was handled manually. Because this audit was not automated, the total amount of data in your native tables and external tables could exceed your licensed allowance for some time before being spotted.
Starting in version 9.1.0, Vertica automatically audits ORC and Parquet data in external tables. This auditing begins soon after you install or upgrade to version 9.1.0. If your Vertica license includes a raw data allowance and you have data in external tables based on Parquet or ORC files, review your license compliance before upgrading to Vertica 9.1.x. Verifying your database is compliant with your license terms avoids having your database become non-compliant soon after you upgrade.