Understanding Different Types of Software Licenses

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There are different types of licenses for source code. On one end, there are permissive licenses with minimal restrictions. On the other end, there are copyleft licenses that require sharing modifications. In the middle is the MPL license. These licenses determine your responsibilities regarding the source code. On the other hand, arbitrary use restrictions are unrelated to the code itself. They are based on factors like industry, revenue, and user count.

This week we’re joined by Steve O’Grady, Principal Analyst & Co-founder at RedMonk. The topic today is the definition of open source, the constant pressure on the true definition of the term, and the seemingly small but vocal minority that aim to protect that definition. In Steve’s post Why Open Source Matters, he says “open source is at a crossroads” and there are some seeking to break the definition of open source to one that is more permissive to their desires, and they are closer than ever to achieving that goal. Today’s conversation goes deep on this subject.

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