Understanding Sentry's License and Open Source Software

Sentry's license allows users to run, study, modify, and distribute changes back to the producer for the first two years. Following this period, the software becomes permissive open source under Apache 2.0 or MIT license. This model enables users to deploy their version of Sentry's paid product on their servers. While sharing improvements is encouraged, creating a business directly from the forked codebase is restricted. The license compels innovation by making older source code open source after the initial two years, promoting continuous development of new features to maintain a competitive edge. This approach of the license ensures that any alterations made after the initial license application only apply to the updated components, while the original code remains open source under Apache 2.0 or MIT. The license aims to drive creativity and encourage companies to innovate ensuring continuous development and business growth.