![]() And I am sure it is equally frustrating for developers encountering legalese in a more traditional open source license. ![]() For lawyers, like myself, it can be difficult to discern technical references in a license written by a developer. Additionally, some open source licenses were written by programmers, others by lawyers. Since open source software licenses don’t share a common framework, it is possible two licenses will say very different things, but share the same meaning. You can find open source software licenses that eschew traditional legal concepts in favor of references to beer, bouncy castles, and even profanity. There are hundreds of different open source licenses and the sheer volume can be overwhelming. Someone exploring open source software licenses for the first time might be intimidated. Open source licenses, by contrast, give you permission to use, modify, and redistribute the software. Traditionally, licenses for closed source/proprietary software would give you permission to use the software. One way you receive permission is in the form of a license. You need the author’s permission to make copies or do anything else with it. It is the open source license that has enabled open source software to thrive. After all, software, like art or music, is subject to copyright, which gives an author the exclusive right to make copies of a work. An often overlooked aspect of this narrative is the role of open source software licenses. ![]() Much has been written about the popularity of open source software, how it is the foundation of technology individuals use every day, and the increasing adoption of open source by corporate enterprises. You are likely already aware that open source software is everywhere. ![]()
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