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What are the best 'permissive' open-source licenses?
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Jun 9, 2019
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3
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Best 'permissive' open-source licenses
Price
Last Updated
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Apache License 2.0
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Jun 9, 2019
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MIT License
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Apr 20, 2019
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Simplified BSD License
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May 2, 2016
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Apache License 2.0
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ommendation
for
Apache License 2.0
My Recommendation for
Apache License 2.0
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2
Pros
2
Top
Pro
•••
It's like MIT but more complicated... Which is fine
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Pro
•••
Explicitly deals with patent issues
Patents can threaten the long-term viability of an open-source product. For example Microsoft sued Linux-using companies for patent-infringement. The apache license has a section on grant of patent license. This does not solve all patent issues, but is more than other licenses do.
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5
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MIT License
My Rec
ommendation
for
MIT License
My Recommendation for
MIT License
All
6
Pros
4
Cons
2
Top
Pro
•••
Prevents lock-in
The license basically allows anyone to do whatever they want with the code as long as the original copyright and license notice is included along with the copy of the code. The code can be used for commercially, privately, it can be modified and it can be distributed.
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Con
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Does not protect long-term user freedom
The MIT/Expat license doesn't protect against open-source code being taken (without payment) and used in proprietary software. This is harmful to user freedom because it lets future development be taken out of the public domain and instead moved into non-free programs. In addition, it doesn't protect against software patents being used to attack user freedom. Unlike the Apache 2.0 and GPLv3 licenses, the MIT/Expat was written before software patents became a problem and doesn't include a patent release.
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Pro
•••
Short and simple
The MIT license is one of the shortest licenses of all the major recognized open source licenses. The full text is just 3 paragraphs long.
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Con
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Ambiguous name
The MIT License is sometimes known as the Expat License or the X11 License because it has been used with different names in different places.
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Pro
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Explicitly allows sublicensing
The license specifically mentions that the code can be used in other software that might have a less permissive license.
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Pro
•••
Protects the author
The author of the software avoids any risk for how the software may be used by others.
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Simplified BSD License
My Rec
ommendation
for
Simplified BSD License
My Recommendation for
Simplified BSD License
All
5
Pros
4
Cons
1
Top
Pro
•••
Short and simple text
This license has one requirement with 2 clauses, both of whcih are related to the distribution of the license itself.
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Con
•••
Nothing prevents someone else from making money off of your software
The 2-clause BSD license is permissive enough that anyone can take your code, rebrand it and sell it.
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Pro
•••
Can be used with proprietary software
BSD licensed software can be used with proprietary software.
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Pro
•••
Protects the author
The author of the software avoids any risk for how the software may be used by others.
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Top
Pro
•••
Prevents lock-in
The license basically allows anyone to do whatever they want with the code as long as the original copyright and license notice is included along with the copy of the code. The code can be used for commercially, it can be modified and it can be distributed.
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