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Open source license choice (Read 14785 times)

Michael God Member Offline Recursion \Re*cur"sion\, n. - See recursion. Posts: 1003 Joined: Oct 23^rd, 2001 Gender:	Open source license choice May 26^th, 2002 at 7:52pm	Print Post
	Okay, as I've mentioned, I'd like this "mod testing script" to ultimately be a distinctive project in its own right, with the tentative name of "phpMyDownloads." The primary focus right now is that of a mod storage/review system for the two YaBB communities. After that is accomplished, I'd like to expand it and make it more full-featured and oriented towards a larger audience. To that end, I'd like to use the SourceForge facilities and community to improve the project coordination, etc. In order to use the SourceForge facilities, I must choose an Open Source Initiative-approved license. I'd appreciate any feedback anyone has on the licenses, listed here. When I get a chance, I'll post a summary of the main few licenses I'm looking at (GPL, LGPL, BSD/MIT-style, or Mozilla, pretty much). I'd appreciate any feedback anyone has on which license should be chosen.

	~ Michael ~ ------------- The MikeCam A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
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Michael God Member Offline Recursion \Re*cur"sion\, n. - See recursion. Posts: 1003 Joined: Oct 23^rd, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #1 - May 27^th, 2002 at 1:47am	Print Post
	A bit dated, but still pretty applicable, here's a decent summary/overview of the popular ones: http://www.web3d.org/TaskGroups/vrml-ipr/open_source_overview.html

	~ Michael ~ ------------- The MikeCam A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
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Christer Alexander God Member Offline Make my day... Posts: 3443 Location: Lethbridge Joined: Feb 10^th, 2002 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #2 - May 27^th, 2002 at 3:04pm	Print Post
	I think the GNU GPL fits best....

	Code unless(0) { stab("LoonyPandora"); next; }
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Michael God Member Offline Recursion \Re*cur"sion\, n. - See recursion. Posts: 1003 Joined: Oct 23^rd, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #3 - May 27^th, 2002 at 5:06pm	Print Post
	Could you tell me why you think that? Need to make an informed decision, you know. I'm actually leaning towards the LGPL (Lesser GNU Public License) or the MPL (Mozilla Public License), because they're less restrictive in terms of re-using the code in other programs. The GPL is viral, which means that if a program uses any GPL'ed code, it must be GPL'ed itself.

	~ Michael ~ ------------- The MikeCam A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
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Christer Alexander God Member Offline Make my day... Posts: 3443 Location: Lethbridge Joined: Feb 10^th, 2002 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #4 - May 28^th, 2002 at 1:02pm	Print Post
	Sorry, I meant the Lesser GPL....just didn't get about to read what "viral" meant

	Code unless(0) { stab("LoonyPandora"); next; }
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Administrator Forum Administrator Offline Yummm Posts: 7 Location: Modders Rile Joined: Oct 7^th, 2014 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #5 - May 29^th, 2002 at 1:28pm	Print Post
	I suggest GPL because of the upcomming possibility of software patents

	The Administrator.
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Michael God Member Offline Recursion \Re*cur"sion\, n. - See recursion. Posts: 1003 Joined: Oct 23^rd, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #6 - May 29^th, 2002 at 5:00pm	Print Post
	Well, I'm sure you can already get software patents, in the U.S. at least. I think. Can you give me a link to some information on what you're talking about? The reason I'd want to choose a license that would allow the code to be integrated freely with other programs is that I just don't see any reason to restrict usage, so long as copyrights and ownership is kept intact. If someone wants to use parts of the code in a commercial program, or use a different license, why stop them?

	~ Michael ~ ------------- The MikeCam A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
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Administrator Forum Administrator Offline Yummm Posts: 7 Location: Modders Rile Joined: Oct 7^th, 2014 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #7 - May 29^th, 2002 at 8:06pm	Print Post
	Michael wrote on May 29^th, 2002 at 5:00pm: Well, I'm sure you can already get software patents, in the U.S. at least. I think. Can you give me a link to some information on what you're talking about? The reason I'd want to choose a license that would allow the code to be integrated freely with other programs is that I just don't see any reason to restrict usage, so long as copyrights and ownership is kept intact. If someone wants to use parts of the code in a commercial program, or use a different license, why stop them? I don't have any link, I read about it in some german computer magazine. Allowing others to use your code is ok but what if someone takes you the right to use your own code (e.g. by patents)?

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Michael God Member Offline Recursion \Re*cur"sion\, n. - See recursion. Posts: 1003 Joined: Oct 23^rd, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #8 - May 29^th, 2002 at 8:10pm	Print Post
	They can't, because by using the code they would have to accept the terms of the license - that's the point of having a license.

	~ Michael ~ ------------- The MikeCam A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
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Administrator Forum Administrator Offline Yummm Posts: 7 Location: Modders Rile Joined: Oct 7^th, 2014 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #9 - Jun 2^nd, 2002 at 1:19pm	Print Post
	Michael wrote on May 29^th, 2002 at 8:10pm: They can't, because by using the code they would have to accept the terms of the license - that's the point of having a license. Yeah but that's the point why I suggest GPL, you should not allow everything

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Michael God Member Offline Recursion \Re*cur"sion\, n. - See recursion. Posts: 1003 Joined: Oct 23^rd, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #10 - Jun 2^nd, 2002 at 5:25pm	Print Post
	Well, the big thing the GPL does is say that any code that uses GPL'ed code MUST use the GPL also. I think that's an unnecessary limitation and I think anyone should be able to use the code any way that they like as long as they give credit where credit is due, and most of the licenses do that, I believe: require that the copyright be retained.

	~ Michael ~ ------------- The MikeCam A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
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Dave Baughman God Member Offline I want my MTV Posts: 2039 Location: Murfreesboro Joined: May 18^th, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #11 - Jun 2^nd, 2002 at 11:42pm	Print Post
	Why don't you just write up your own license?

	I'm not sure if it's ignorance or apathy, but I don't know and I don't care.
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Shoeb Omar God Member Offline Mod Writer Posts: 5665 Location: San Diego Joined: Jun 29^th, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #12 - Jun 3^rd, 2002 at 12:03am	Print Post
	Don't use the exuse "It takes too long" because you have the handy copy and paste functions

	YaBB SP2 BETA! Now taking pay jobs in PHP or Perl. Contact me for details.
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Michael God Member Offline Recursion \Re*cur"sion\, n. - See recursion. Posts: 1003 Joined: Oct 23^rd, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #13 - Jun 3^rd, 2002 at 12:36am	Print Post
	Quote: Why don't you just write up your own license? Because I'm not a lawyer? Rather use one that's tried and true, you know? I could write one, I suppose, if I had a general idea of what was "right," but after seeing all these licenses, each written in a different way (compare the GPL vs. the MPL or the NCSA). Actually, though, maybe something simple would work out, if it's really clear. The NCSA license looks like a good one to that effect. It's about a tenth the size of the rest. Basically says the copyright must be retained and there's no warranty. I just wonder if the "without restriction" part is giving away anything important that I've overlooked?

	~ Michael ~ ------------- The MikeCam A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
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Dave Baughman God Member Offline I want my MTV Posts: 2039 Location: Murfreesboro Joined: May 18^th, 2001 Gender:	Re: Open source license choice Reply #14 - Jun 3^rd, 2002 at 2:30am	Print Post
	If you are wanting anyone to use your code freely, you don't need a bunch of stipulations. You basically need something that says "Hey, don't remove our copyright. If you incorporate parts of our code into your program, give us due credit. No, you cannot copyright this yourself. We invented it, so it's still ours." Most of the stuff I've ever worked on never had a pre-made license. I believe YaBB has it's own, too. Easiest way to get screwed is to agree to rules you didn't make up, IMHO.

	I'm not sure if it's ignorance or apathy, but I don't know and I don't care.
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