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Open source software License

Have you decided the license for your open source software?

Unlike your driving license, your license for creating open source software is more complex than you think. Which licenses can you choose and which one is better? This article may give you a little clue on that.

When you start to create open source software, you are creating something valuable and useful for users. The software must be user friendly and easy enough for someone else to modify. Before you launch your project, it is best to ask these few questions.

What is your objective?

Several developers who started open sourcing an application ended with very low ratings as they didn’t decide clearly, what is the purpose of the app. How the app is going to help users? Creating a tool that’s accessible to anyone and even better, has not yet been invented by anyone- allow you to craft your path to success in open sourcing a project.

Can anybody else develop your codes?

Open source means you allow others to contribute in your project. You have to make sure that these people have the access to your source code in order to continue your masterpiece. The beauty of open sourcing a code is that the users are contributing in your project even when some of them are unfamiliar with your code, they can keep up quickly.

What license is suitable for your app?

There is a license applied to any open source software. Before you launch your product, it is better to pick the best license to protect copyright and patent system for your software. Choosing the wrong license might lead you to worse case such as not getting contributors. Licensing your software may be daunting. These basic information can be your roadmap to get one.

  • General Public License
  • The most common license for open source software is GPL. When software is licensed with GPL, then other apps using the software element must also use this license. There is also a few restrictions on the distribution issues.

  • The MIT License
  • The license can be combined with General Public License and it is more flexible since you can copy and modify without any restriction as long as the copyright is mentioned in the software.

  • Lesser General Public License
  • Just like the license is named. This license has less restriction in open sourcing your software. The regulation is almost the same with GPL; any apps that uses GPL have to be open sourced under the same license.

  • The BSD 3-Clause License
  • With this license, your software must not be redistributed without stating your name on the copyright section. Hence, there will not be any software promotion without stating the first owner. Nonetheless, this license is permissive as you can substitute the value of year with your own.

    These licenses are compatible with any open source software. GPL is great for modifying software and MIT is also a popular one. If you are a company owner, choosing The BSD 3-Clause License is a good start to protect your company name.

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