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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 29, 2008

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

BMC SOFTWARE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware		74-2126120
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

2101 CityWest Boulevard

Houston, Texas 77042-2827

(713) 918-8800

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Denise Clolery

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

BMC Software, Inc.

2101 CityWest Boulevard

Houston, Texas 77042-2827

(713) 918-8800

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to

Tracy K. Edmonson

Latham & Watkins LLP

505 Montgomery Street, Suite 2000

San Francisco, California 94111-6538

(415) 391-0600

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effectiveness of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. þ

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. þ

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer þ		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company o

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


		Proposed Maximum	Proposed Maximum	Amount of
Title of Each Class of	Amount to be	Offering	Aggregate	Registration
Securities to be Registered	Registered	Price per Unit	Offering Price	Fee
Debt Securities	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share(2)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share(2)	(1)	(1)	(1)	(1)


(1)		An unspecified aggregate initial offering price or number of the securities of each identified class is being registered pursuant to this registration statement. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are issuable on exercise, conversion or exchange of other securities. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fees.

(2)		Shares of preferred stock and/or common stock may be issued in primary offerings or upon conversion of debt securities or preferred stock registered hereby.

BMC Software, Inc.

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

BMC Software, Inc., from time to time, may offer to sell, in one or more series, any combination of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and trades under the ticker symbol “BMC”.

We or any selling securityholder may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis through a public offering or negotiated purchases.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. The specific terms of any securities to be offered may be described in a supplement to this prospectus.

Investing in these securities involves certain risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 2 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Prospectus dated May 29, 2008

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings in amounts and with prices and other terms to be determined. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. When we sell securities under this shelf registration, we may provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, modify or supersede information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference is correct on any date subsequent to the date of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is delivered or securities are sold on a later date.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can inspect and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain copies of these materials from the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC filings will also be available to you on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov and through the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, on which our common stock is listed.

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which forms a part of the registration statement, does not contain all the information that is included in the registration statement. You will find additional information about us in the registration statement. Any statements made in this prospectus concerning the provisions of legal documents are not necessarily complete and you should read the documents that are filed as exhibits to the registration statement or otherwise filed with the SEC for a more complete understanding of the document or matter.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows the “incorporation by reference” of the information filed by us with the SEC into this prospectus, which means that important information can be disclosed to you by referring you to those documents. Those documents that are filed prior to the date of this prospectus listed below are considered part of this prospectus, and those documents that are filed after the date of this prospectus and prior to the sale of securities to you pursuant to this prospectus will be considered a part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the previously filed information. The documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of securities hereby are incorporated by reference herein:

1. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, filed on May 21, 2008.

2. Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on April 23, 2008, May 7, 2008, May 22, 2008 and May 27, 2008 and on Form 8-K/A filed on May 27, 2008.

3. Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on July 19, 2007.

4. The description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated August 25, 1988, filed with the SEC to register such securities under the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.

5. All documents filed by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and before termination of the offering of securities hereby.

We are not, however, incorporating by reference any documents or portions thereof, whether specifically listed above or filed in the future, that are not deemed “filed” with the SEC, including any information furnished pursuant to Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or certain exhibits furnished pursuant to Item 9.01 of Form 8-K.

We will provide without charge, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents that have been incorporated by reference into this prospectus. You should direct any requests to BMC Software, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 2101 CityWest Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77042-2827, or you may contact us at (800) 841-2031 ext. 4525 or via email at investor@bmc.com. Information about us is also available on our web site at http://www.bmc.com. Information on our web site is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and therefore is not part of this prospectus.

SPECIAL NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are identified by the use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “contemplate,” “would,” and similar expressions that contemplate future events. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable current assumptions and expectations. Numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties affect our operating results, including, without limitation, those contained in this prospectus and the documents that we incorporate by reference, and could cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievement to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these or any other forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. There can be no assurance that future results will meet expectations. You should pay particular attention to the important risk factors and cautionary statements referenced in the section of this prospectus entitled “Risk Factors”. You should also carefully review the cautionary statements described in the other documents we file from time to time with the SEC, specifically our Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our Current Reports on Form 8-K. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and under the caption “Risk Factors” in our filings with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, incorporated by reference herein, before making an investment decision.

THE COMPANY

All references in this prospectus to “BMC”, “the company”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to BMC Software, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires.

BMC Software, Inc. is one of the world’s largest software vendors. We provide system and service management solutions primarily for large enterprises. Our extensive portfolio of software solutions spans enterprise systems, applications, databases and IT process management. We also provide maintenance and support for our products and perform software implementation, integration and education services for our customers. We were organized as a Texas corporation in 1980 and were reincorporated in Delaware in July 1988.

Our principal corporate offices are located at 2101 CityWest Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77042-2827. Our main telephone number is (713) 918-8800, and our primary internet address is http://www.bmc.com.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WE MAY OFFER

DEBT SECURITIES

This prospectus describes certain general terms and provisions of our debt securities. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement whether the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

Unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. In the summary below, we have included references to the section numbers of the indenture so that you can easily locate these provisions. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

When we refer to “BMC Software,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this section, we mean BMC Software, Inc. excluding, unless the context otherwise requires or as otherwise expressly stated, our subsidiaries.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our Board of Directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our Board of Directors, in an officers’ certificate or by a supplemental indenture. (Section 2.2) The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:


	•	the title of the debt securities;

	•	the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

	•	any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

	•	the date or dates on which we will pay the principal on the debt securities;

	•	the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

	•	the place or places where principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be payable;

	•	the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

	•	any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities;

	•	the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

	•	the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;


	•	whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

	•	the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

	•	the currency of denomination of the debt securities;

	•	the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

	•	if payments of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

	•	the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

	•	any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

	•	any addition to or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

	•	any addition to or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

	•	any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series; and

	•	any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities. (Section 2.2)

In addition, the indenture does not limit our ability to issue convertible or subordinated debt securities. Any conversion or subordination provisions of a particular series of debt securities will be set forth in the resolution of our Board of Directors, the officers’ certificate or supplemental indenture related to that series of debt securities and will be described in the relevant prospectus supplement. Such terms may include provisions for conversion, either mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, in which case the number of shares of common stock or other securities to be received by the holders of debt securities would be calculated as of a time and in the manner stated in the prospectus supplement.

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company, as Depositary (the “Depositary”), or a nominee (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set

forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary.

The Depositary has indicated it intends to follow the following procedures with respect to book-entry debt securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities will be limited to persons that have accounts with the Depositary for the related global debt security (“participants”) or persons that may hold interests through participants. Upon the issuance of a global debt security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the participants’ accounts with the respective principal amounts of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security beneficially owned by such participants. The accounts to be credited will be designated by any dealers, underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of the book-entry debt securities. Ownership of book-entry debt securities will be shown on, and the transfer of such ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary for the related global debt security (with respect to interests of participants) and on the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons holding through participants). The laws of some states may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to own, transfer or pledge beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities.

So long as the Depositary for a global debt security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global debt security, the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the book-entry debt securities represented by such global debt security for all purposes under the indenture. Except as described below, beneficial owners of book-entry debt securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of a certificate in definitive form representing securities and will not be considered the owners or holders of those securities under the indenture. Accordingly, each person beneficially owning book-entry debt securities must rely on the procedures of the Depositary for the related global debt security and, if such person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which such person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the indenture.

We understand, however, that under existing industry practice, the Depositary will authorize the persons on whose behalf it holds a global debt security to exercise certain rights of holders of debt securities, and the indenture provides that we, the trustee and our respective agents will treat as the holder of a debt security the persons specified in a written statement of the Depositary with respect to that global debt security for purposes of obtaining any consents or directions required to be given by holders of the debt securities pursuant to the indenture. (Section 2.14.6)

We will make payments of principal of, and premium and interest on book-entry debt securities to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of the related global debt security. (Section 2.14.5) BMC Software, the trustee and any other agent of ours or agent of the trustee will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests.

We expect that the Depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium or interest on a global debt security, will immediately credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to the respective amounts of book-entry debt securities held by each participant as shown on the records of such Depositary. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in book-entry debt securities held through those participants will be governed by standing customer instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the responsibility of those participants.

We will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for each global debt security if the Depositary is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, and a successor Depositary registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act is not appointed by us within 90 days. In addition, we may at any time and in our sole discretion determine not to have the book-entry debt securities of any series represented by one or more global debt securities and, in that event, will issue certificated debt securities in exchange for the global debt securities of that series. Any certificated debt securities issued in exchange for a global debt security will be registered in such name or names as the Depositary shall instruct the trustee. We expect that such instructions will be based upon directions received by the Depositary from participants with respect to ownership of book-entry debt securities relating to such global debt security.

We have obtained the foregoing information concerning the Depositary and the Depositary’s book-entry system from sources we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

No Protection In the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to, any person (a “successor person”) unless:


	•	we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than BMC Software) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture;

	•	immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing under the indenture; and

	•	certain other conditions are met.

Notwithstanding the above, any subsidiary of BMC Software may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to BMC Software. (Section 5.1)

Events of Default

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:


	•	default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of that default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);


	•	default in the payment of principal of or premium on any debt security of that series when due and payable;

	•	default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

	•	certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of BMC Software; and

	•	any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus.

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. (Section 6.1) The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain of our other indebtedness outstanding from time to time.

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 6.2) We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. (Section 7.1(e)) Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series. (Section 6.12)

No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:


	•	that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

	•	the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request, and offered reasonable indemnity, to the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days. (Section 6.7)

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment. (Section 6.8)

The indenture requires us, within 120 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. (Section 4.3) The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if it in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities. (Section 7.5)

Modification and Waiver

We may modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:


	•	reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

	•	reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

	•	reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

	•	reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

	•	waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

	•	make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

	•	make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

	•	waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security. (Section 9.3)

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. (Section 9.2) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration. (Section 6.13)

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series, and to maintain paying agencies and certain provisions relating to the treatment of funds held by paying agents). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, Foreign Government Obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and

interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. (Section 8.3)

Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:


	•	we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

	•	any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include:


	•	depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. Government Obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, Foreign Government Obligations, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

	•	delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred. (Section 8.4)

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. Government Obligations or Foreign Government Obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments.

“Foreign Government Obligations” means, with respect to debt securities of any series that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. Dollars:


	•	direct obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency for the payment of which obligations its full faith and credit is pledged which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof; or

	•	obligations of a person controlled or supervised by or acting as an agency or instrumentality of that government the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by that government which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of New York. (Section 10.10)

PREFERRED STOCK

The following briefly summarizes the material terms of our preferred stock, other than pricing and related terms that will be disclosed in an accompanying prospectus supplement. You should read the particular terms of any series of preferred stock offered by us, which will be described in more detail in any prospectus supplement relating to such series, together with the more detailed provisions of our certificate of incorporation, as amended (which we refer to as our Restated Certificate of Incorporation), and the certificate of designation relating to each particular series of preferred stock for provisions that may be important to you. The Restated Certificate of Incorporation is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The certificate of designation relating to the particular series of preferred stock offered by an accompanying prospectus supplement and this prospectus will be filed as an exhibit to a document incorporated by reference in the registration statement. The prospectus supplement will also state whether any of the terms summarized below do not apply to the series of preferred stock being offered.

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (none of which are currently outstanding). Under our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series, and to establish from time to time a series of preferred stock with the following terms specified:


	•	the number of shares to be included in the series;

	•	the designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the shares of such series;

	•	any voting rights of that series of preferred stock; and

	•	the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such series.

All shares of preferred stock offered hereby will not have any preemptive rights. Our board of directors may exercise its discretion in establishing the terms of each series of preferred stock. Shares of preferred stock could have rights that would cause such shares to be equal or superior to the common stock with respect to such matters as voting, dividends and liquidation rights or which could adversely affect holders of the common stock or discourage or make difficult any attempt to obtain control of the company.

We will set forth in a prospectus supplement relating to the series of preferred stock being offered the terms of the preferred stock as determined by our board of directors, including the following:


	•	the title and stated value of the preferred stock;

	•	the number of shares of the preferred stock offered, the liquidation preference per share and the offering price of the preferred stock;

	•	the dividend rate(s), period(s) and/or payment date(s) or method(s) of calculation applicable to the preferred stock;

	•	whether dividends are cumulative or non-cumulative and, if cumulative, the date from which dividends on the preferred stock will accumulate;

	•	the procedures for any auction and remarketing, if any, for the preferred stock;

	•	the provisions for a sinking fund, if any, for the preferred stock;

	•	the provision for redemption or repurchase, if applicable, of the preferred stock;

	•	while any shares of such series are outstanding, the limitations and restrictions, if any, upon the payment of dividends on, and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by us of, our common stock, or any


		other class or series of our stock ranking junior to the shares of such series either as to dividends or upon liquidation;


	•	any listing of the preferred stock on any securities exchange;

	•	the terms and conditions, if applicable, upon which the preferred stock will be convertible into common stock or other series of preferred stock or other securities, including the conversion price (or manner of calculation) and conversion period;

	•	voting rights, if any, of the preferred stock;

	•	whether interests in the preferred stock will be represented by depositary shares;

	•	a discussion of any material and/or special federal income tax considerations applicable to the preferred stock;

	•	the relative ranking and preferences of the preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs;

	•	any limitations on issuance of any class or series of preferred stock ranking senior to or on a parity with the class or series of preferred stock as to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our affairs; and

	•	any other specific terms, preferences, rights, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock.

COMMON STOCK

The following description of our common stock is only a summary. We encourage you to read our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 600,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share. As of May 9, 2008, we had outstanding 191,003,000 shares of our common stock.

Subject to such preferential rights as may be granted by the board of directors in connection with future issuances of preferred stock, the holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters to be voted on by stockholders and are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors in its discretion from funds legally available therefor. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the company, holders of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and any liquidation preference owed to holders of preferred stock. Holders of common stock have no preemptive rights and have no rights to convert their common stock into any other securities. Matters submitted for stockholder approval generally require a majority vote. The common stock currently outstanding is fully paid and nonassessable.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trades under the symbol “BMC”.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

(1) prior to such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

(2) upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at

the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned:


	•	by persons who are directors and also officers; and

	•	by employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

(3) at or subsequent to such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 662/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Section 203 defines “business combination” to include:

(1) any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

(2) any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

(3) subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

(4) any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

(5) the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as any person who or which beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation or any person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by the corporation that was the owner of 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date of determination if such person is an interested stockholder.

The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by stockholders.

CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table presents our historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the years in the five-year period ended March 31, 2008.

Year Ended March 31,

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

24.0

16.8

12.3

5.8

(a)


(a)		The deficiency in the coverage of fixed charges by earnings before fixed charges was $29.4 million for the year ended March 31, 2004.

For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of earnings (loss) before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of (i) interest expense and (ii) a portion of rental expenses deemed representative of the interest factor.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We or the selling securityholders, if any, may sell the securities in any of three ways (or in any combination): (a) through underwriters or dealers; (b) directly to a limited number of purchasers or to a single purchaser; or (c) through agents. The prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of such securities, including:

(a) the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents and the amounts of securities underwritten or purchased by each of them;

(b) the initial public offering price of the securities and the proceeds to us and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

We or any of the selling securityholders may distribute the securities from time to time in one or more transactions:


	•	at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

	•	at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

	•	at prices related to such prevailing market prices; or

	•	at negotiated prices.

We or the selling securityholders may solicit directly offers to purchase the securities being offered by this prospectus. We may also designate agents to solicit offers to purchase the securities from time to time. We will name in a prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities.

If we utilize a dealer in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale.

If we utilize an underwriter in the sale of the securities being offered by this prospectus, we will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter at the time of sale and we will provide the name of any underwriter in the prospectus supplement that the underwriter will use to make resales of the securities to the public. In connection with the sale of the securities, we, or the purchasers of securities for whom the underwriter may act as agent, may compensate the underwriter in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions. The underwriter may sell the securities to or through dealers, and those dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions form the purchasers for which they may act as agent. Unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement, an agent will be acting on a best efforts basis and a dealer will purchase securities as a principal, and may then resell the securities at varying prices to be determined by the dealer.

We will provide in the applicable prospectus supplement any compensation we pay to underwriters, dealers or agents in connection with the offering of the securities, and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed by underwriters to participating dealers. Underwriters, dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions. We may enter into agreements to indemnify underwriters, dealers and agents against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof and to reimburse those persons for certain expenses.

The securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange such as the NYSE. To facilitate the offering of securities, certain persons participating in the offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. This may include over-allotments or short sales of the securities, which involve the sale by persons participating in the offering of more securities than we sold to them. In these circumstances, these persons would cover such over-allotments or short positions by making purchases in the open market or by exercising their over-allotment option, if any. In addition, these persons may stabilize or maintain the price of the securities by bidding for or purchasing securities in the open market or by imposing penalty bids, whereby selling concessions allowed to dealers participating in the offering may be reclaimed if securities sold by them are repurchased in connection with stabilization transactions. The effect of these transactions may be to stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market. These transactions may be discontinued at any time.

In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, we may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.

The underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with us, or perform services for us, in the ordinary course of business for which they receive compensation.

LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplements, the validity of those securities may be passed upon for us by Latham & Watkins LLP, San Francisco, California, and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of BMC Software, Inc. appearing in BMC Software, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended March 31, 2008 have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 14.	*Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution*

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, to be paid by us.


	Amount to
	be Paid

SEC registration fee		*
Legal fees and expenses		**
Accounting fees and expenses		**
Blue sky fees		**
Printing fees		**
Rating agency fees		**
Trustee’s fees and expenses		**
Miscellaneous		**
Total	$	**


*		Deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
**		These fees are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.


Item 15.	*Indemnification of Directors and Officers*

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, Article SEVENTH of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Article VIII of our Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, and indemnification agreements entered into by us with our directors and officers provide for the indemnification of our officers, directors, employees and agents under certain circumstances.

Set forth below is Article SEVENTH of our Restated Certificate of Incorporation pertaining to indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents and insurance:

“SEVENTH: A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for such liability as is expressly not subject to limitation under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended to further limit or eliminate such liability. Moreover, the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify any and all officers and directors of the Corporation, and may, to the fullest extent permitted by law or to such lesser extent as is determined in the discretion of the Board of Directors, indemnify any and all other persons whom it shall have power to indemnify, from and against all expenses, liabilities or other matters arising out of their status as such or their acts, omissions or services rendered in such capacities. The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability.”

Set forth below is Article VIII of our Amended and Restated Bylaws:

“Section 8.1 Right to Indemnification.

Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (hereinafter a “proceeding”), by reason of the fact that he or she or a person of whom he or she is the legal representative is or was or has agreed to become a director or an officer of the Corporation or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee of another corporation or of a partnership, joint

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venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter an “indemnitee”), whether the basis of such proceeding is action alleged to have been taken or omitted in an official capacity as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee or in any other capacity while serving or having agreed to serve as a director, officer, employee, agent or trustee, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section 8.3 with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

Section 8.2 Right to Advancement of Expenses.

In addition to the right to indemnification conferred in Section 8.1, an indemnitee shall also have the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses (including attorney’s fees) incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an “advancement of expenses”); provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a director or officer or proposed director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is or has been agreed to be rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an “undertaking”), by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section 8.2 or otherwise.

Section 8.3 Right of Indemnitee to Bring Suit.

If a claim under Section 8.1 or 8.2 is not paid in full by the Corporation within ninety (90) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation, except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be thirty (30) days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) any suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the Corporation shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not met the applicable standards of conduct for indemnification set forth in the DGCL. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL, nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including its directors who are not parties to such action, a committee of such directors, independent legal counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, or brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article VIII or otherwise shall be on the Corporation.

Section 8.4 Non-Exclusivity of Rights.

The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this Article VIII shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, the

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Corporation’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or directors or otherwise.

Section 8.5 Insurance.

The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any person who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the DGCL.

Section 8.6 Indemnification of Employees and Agents of the Corporation.

The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

Section 8.7 Nature of Rights.

The rights conferred upon indemnitees in this Article VIII shall be contract rights and such rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer or trustee and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Any amendment, alteration or repeal of this Article VIII that adversely affects any right of an indemnitee or its successors shall be prospective only and shall not limit or eliminate any such right with respect to any proceeding involving any occurrence or alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that took place prior to such amendment or repeal.

Section 8.8 Savings Clause.

If this Article VIII or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the Corporation shall nevertheless indemnify and hold harmless each director and officer of the Corporation, as to costs, charges and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative to the full extent permitted by any applicable portion of this Article VIII that shall not have been invalidated and to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

Section 8.9 Definition.

For purposes of this Article VIII, references to the “Corporation” shall include, in addition to the Corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger prior to (or, in the case of an entity specifically designated in a resolution of the Board of Directors, after) the adoption of these Bylaws and which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.”

In addition, we have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and officers, under which we have agreed to indemnify such directors and officers in accordance with, and to the fullest extent permitted by, the Delaware General Corporation Law, against any and all expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the indemnitee in connection with any proceeding in which the indemnitee was or is made a party or was or is involved by reason of the fact that the indemnitee is or was a director.

We have also purchased liability insurance policies covering our directors and officers.

The proposed form of Underwriting Agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this Registration Statement will provide for indemnification of our directors and officers by the underwriters against certain liabilities.

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Item 16.	*Exhibits*


Exhibit
No			Description

	1	.1*	Form of Underwriting Agreement
	4	.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 26, 1988
	4	.2	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1997
	4	.3	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed November 30, 1999; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002 (the 2002 10-K)
	4	.4	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2003
	4	.5	Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2007
	4	.6*	Specimen of certificate representing common stock, par value $01 per share
	4	.7*	Specimen of certificate representing preferred stock, par value $.01 per share
	4	.8	Form of Indenture, to be entered into between BMC Software, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee
	4	.9*	Form of debt securities
	5	.1	Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP
	12	.1	Computation of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
	23	.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
	23	.2	Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
	24	.1	Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
	25	.1	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the trustee under the Indenture


*		To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 17.	*Undertakings*

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs

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is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

(6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to

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Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on May 29, 2008.

BMC SOFTWARE, INC.


	By:	/s/ Stephen B. Solcher

Stephen B. Solcher, Senior Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned do hereby constitute and appoint Denise M. Clolery and Christopher C. Chaffin, or either of them, our true and lawful attorneys and agents, to sign for us or any of us in our names and in the capacities indicated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents required in connection therewith, and to do any and all acts and things in our names and in the capacities indicated below, which said attorneys and agents, or any of them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable said corporation to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations, and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with this Registration Statement; and we do hereby ratify and confirm all that the said attorneys and agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature	Title	Date


/s/ B. Garland Cupp B. Garland Cupp	Chairman of the Board	May 29, 2008

/s/ Robert E. Beauchamp Robert E. Beauchamp	President, Chief Executive Officer and Director	May 29, 2008

/s/ Stephen B. Solcher Stephen B. Solcher	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)	May 29, 2008

/s/ T. Cory Bleuer T. Cory Bleuer	Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)	May 29, 2008

/s/ Jon E. Barfield Jon E. Barfield	Director	May 29, 2008

/s/ Gary Bloom Gary Bloom	Director	May 29, 2008

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EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
No			Description

	1	.1*	Form of Underwriting Agreement
	4	.1	Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on August 26, 1988
	4	.2	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1997
	4	.3	Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation filed November 30, 1999; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2002 (the 2002 10-K)
	4	.4	Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2003
	4	.5	Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 25, 2007
	4	.6*	Specimen of certificate representing common stock, par value $01 per share
	4	.7*	Specimen of certificate representing preferred stock, par value $.01 per share
	4	.8	Form of Indenture, to be entered into between BMC Software, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as trustee
	4	.9*	Form of debt securities
	5	.1	Opinion of Latham & Watkins LLP
	12	.1	Computation of Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
	23	.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
	23	.2	Consent of Latham & Watkins LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1)
	24	.1	Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
	25	.1	Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., the trustee under the Indenture


*		To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K.


About This Prospectus			1
Where You Can Find More Information			1
Incorporation of Certain Information By Reference			1
Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements			2
Risk Factors			2
The Company			2
Description of Securities We May Offer			3
Consolidated Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges			12
Use of Proceeds			13
Plan of Distribution			13
Legal Matters			14
Experts			14
EX-4.8: FORM OF INDENTURE
EX-5.1: OPINION OF LATHAM & WATKINS LLP
EX-12.1: COMPUTATION OF CONSOLIDATED RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
EX-23.1: CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
EX-23.2: CONSENT OF LATHAM & WATKINS LLP (INCLUDED IN EXHIBIT 5.1)
EX-24.1: POWER OF ATTORNEY (INCLUDED ON SIGNATURE PAGE)
EX-25.1: FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
EXHIBIT 4.8
EXHIBIT 5.1
EXHIBIT 12.1
EXHIBIT 23.1
EXHIBIT 25.1

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