Questions tagged [license]
This tag is used for concerns about licenses to software and what rights one grants.
196
questions
6
votes
1
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Is ONLYOFFICE restricting our freedom with their FAQ? (AGPL v3)
or am I seeing this wrong?
After some digging (It's NOT easy to find on their site), I found the community version ("Open Source" version) of ONLYOFFICE.
However, after reading their FAQ, it seems ...
2
votes
1
answer
201
views
Using third-party libraries in my webapp (Python)
I've searched the web for information about this, but haven't found a clear answer, that I understand at least.
I have created an Flask app, which utilizes libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, Scikit ...
-1
votes
2
answers
57
views
if a company rewards the use of software, which license should apply? [closed]
I need to develop free software for a company. The company will reward me with 8% of the profits. I have to give the source code to the company so that they can modify it if necessary. Is there a ...
3
votes
1
answer
263
views
Distribution of Python modules
I've been thinking about create a couple of python-based applications and distributing them for free.
My applications will be only for Windows since it is the system I use personally. What I am ...
3
votes
1
answer
220
views
How to handle license for third-party packages?
I've created a Python package, and it contains another package written by a third-party:
my_pkg/
|- vendor
| |- vendoredFoo (MIT license)
|
...
How to handle the license of vendoredFoo, ...
0
votes
2
answers
52
views
License that is MIT-like but prevents wholesale republishing or sale of the original [closed]
I'm releasing a bunch of code that is part of free teaching resources and lessons I'm providing.
For the most part, I'm totally fine with others reusing the code however they want. That's the point.
...
4
votes
1
answer
763
views
How to label and license Derivative Works made under Apache License, Version 2.0?
I duplicated a source-code file released under the Apache License, Version 2.0, made very few changes to adapt the code to slightly different situation. So this would seem to be a Derivative Works as ...
3
votes
0
answers
51
views
What is the license of models built on pretrained embeddings?
I was trying to figure out this problem in the internet. What if I train embeddings on the wikipedia texts? And then use them in training of my model?
For example, fastText embeddings are distributed ...
-1
votes
1
answer
48
views
Go vendor license
I am trying to use Hyperledger Fabric open source project and it has been licensed under Apache License 2.0 but while check it's vendor license it got opencontainers/go-digest which is licensed under ...
23
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Can I ignore an open source license if I checkout a version that was released prior to the code having any license?
There's a package on Github that was released fully without any license and it stayed this way for close to a year. Then just recently after no updates since the initial commit, a License was added. ...
3
votes
1
answer
355
views
Under what license may I take and use screenshots of LibreOffice?
Recently, I have been considering making some screenshots of LibreOffice's applications and putting them on my blog (just as graphical examples for the text). But then, I started to think about what ...
1
vote
1
answer
131
views
Using an Image from a project governed by a BSD license
I wanted to use some images from a project governed by the 3-clause BSD license, but I can't find any information about whether it's allowed or not. The license specifies:
"Redistribution and use ...
2
votes
1
answer
74
views
Does a software license apply to a stripped version of the original binary?
If I create a binary that contains exactly the same class-, method- and field signatures as a proprietary application, but I've left everything else out - does the license of the original app still ...
5
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can I use a GPLv3 JavaScript library on a website I'm developing for a client?
I was intending on using a GPLv3 licensed JavaScript library on a website I'm developing for a client. This library would be part of the theme. Will this necessarily make the entire them GPLv3 so my ...
0
votes
1
answer
172
views
AGPL used with a modular framework, modules are not open source
As far as i understand, the AGPL license permits me to use the library (https://github.com/Corvusoft/restbed) for a server that faces the web and is publicly accessable, as long as the server it's ...
5
votes
1
answer
108
views
Can I use an alternative license on GitHub that is not listed there?
Can I use an alternative license on GitHub that isn't listed? Specifically I want to use License Zero.
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Why am I being asked for a license key to use an open source product?
I am testing the Tyk API Management solution and it asks me to provide a license key: https://tyk.io/product/tyk-on-premises-free-edition/
Why this product is not fully available for free? What ...
3
votes
1
answer
127
views
Restrict commercial use to protect users
I have a piece of software that could potentially be modified to provide revenue, but it is not going to be clear where the revenue goes - I want to add a license condition that ensures all users of ...
3
votes
1
answer
242
views
Can I remove the Modernizr credit from the top of my .js file?
I am working on a project that uses Modernizr, which uses the MIT license. I have a modernizr-custom.js file containing code downloaded from their website and this at the top:
/*! modernizr 3.6.0 (...
5
votes
2
answers
324
views
Are there any hybrid open-source/proprietary software licenses and business models?
Does licensing and ownership of software and intellectual property work on a spectrum of extremes and in-between nuances, or is it an "either this or that" decision?
Let me give concrete examples ...
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
Can the fine print (ToS) of Github permit them to seize copyright of my code if someone else uploaded it? [duplicate]
I was alarmed to see that someone uploaded one of my old GPL'd projects to Github. I don't use Github or any other Microsoft product. Github has refused to remove it however, and suggests I contact ...
2
votes
1
answer
33
views
Code workflow is licensed Apache 2, but the data generated is BY-NC-SA. Can I recreate the data and commercialize it?
There is a website that offers both a codebase to process some arbitrary public data (as Apache 2.0), but licensed the output data of the workflow as BY-NC-SA 4.0 (at least the processed data on the ...
-1
votes
1
answer
83
views
Which of the license is used by SaaJ-api ? CDDL or GPL?
I am looking at
https://mvnrepository.com/artifact/javax.xml.soap/saaj-api
It mentions 2 licenses:
CDDL and GPL.
Does it mean it uses both licenses ? or any one of them ? If just one of them how to ...
2
votes
1
answer
110
views
GPL with Classpath Exception License
for example, File A.java is distributed under GPL with Classpath Exception License..
And I develop software C. There is a B.java file in C. B.java imports A(not A.jar, but A.java) and call function of ...
-1
votes
2
answers
1k
views
What open source license allows everything except modification?
There are so many licenses that honestly they are making me dizzy. Here is what I want to do:
require my copyright notice and no-warranty statement.
permit people to use + run my code.
don't permit ...
0
votes
1
answer
93
views
How can an AGPL library be more permissive when using the library's public APIs?
Server-client based HTTP open-source projects like MongoDB use AGPL/SSPL for their main backend implementation and use a more permissive license for their client so that devs embedding MongoDB clients ...
2
votes
1
answer
169
views
MIT license with extra conditions
I read many post and descriptions of MIT license and I have the question that If I use third party library with MIT license that the owner has add extra conditions that limit the use content and the ...
5
votes
1
answer
232
views
Can someone else patent an invention that I have introduced in my open source project?
Is open source protected in any way if I haven't filed for a patent myself? Maybe a specific license?
Any examples of open source projects that introduced 'inventions' that could be patented (but they ...
5
votes
1
answer
245
views
Java SDK 8 vs. OpenJDK 8 licenses for freelance development
So I'm new to both freelance development and software licensing. However, I still managed to convince a company to let me develop a small piece of software for them (woohoo!).
The company runs JRE 8 ...
33
votes
2
answers
7k
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Is the term 'open source' a trademark?
A few months ago, MongoDB introduced a new license called SSPL following some conflicts with AWS. Later they presented this license to the Open Source Initiative (OSI) for approval for it to be called ...
0
votes
1
answer
123
views
My open source project relies on a paid software
Please, could you propose to me what kind of software license fits my project?
I am creating a software project that relies on paid license software. I will release this software for free to help the ...
3
votes
1
answer
94
views
What year to use copyright - current year or library build year?
When attributing open source software, do you always default to the current year or the year that the library you are using was built?
For example, I'm using MIT licensed software from a build in ...
-1
votes
1
answer
52
views
Distribution of code of a system that uses open source tool with GPL license
I'm sorry if my question is repeated, but I have searched and read allot about this topic and kind of confused and want to make sure at this point. I'm planning to use an open source tool that will be ...
4
votes
1
answer
73
views
Are downloaded data automatically licensed?
If a purely Apache v2 licensed software automatically downloads data files from its copyright holder's website without asking the user, does that automatically grant Apache v2 license to the ...
3
votes
1
answer
685
views
License to disallow distribution in closed source software, but allow exceptions made by owner?
Is there a license (similar to the GNU v3 software license) that forbids the usage of an open-source software in closed-source software, but except parties that receive approval by the original owner (...
5
votes
3
answers
497
views
How to license scientific software to be open while protecting against misuse?
Note: This question is a revision of an earlier question, which MadHatter suggested should be revised into a new more specific question. Note that there is a lot of similarity between the questions; ...
4
votes
1
answer
716
views
Licenses for scientific software
Edit: This question has been revised into a more specific question here that does not muddy the waters by bringing up the difficulties of supporting scientific software financially. Please see the ...
2
votes
1
answer
103
views
How much changes are required for the "editor" of an open source software to become the new owner?
I think I read somewhere that if you modify the source of a software enough, you become the owner ("author") of that source.
First I'd like to make sure that this is correct. If not, then the point ...
4
votes
2
answers
93
views
How does GNU GPL work in a fullstack Android project?
What is the compatibility in terms of license with an API? For example: GPL license from the client side and PHP license from the server side, is it possible?
Can the Android application contain ...
2
votes
1
answer
42
views
License of a not anymore existing pip library
I think the question is language agnostic but we are doing an audit and there is a python library which doesn't specify license and it doesn't install anymore.
> pip freeze | grep MakeJS
MakeJS==0....
2
votes
1
answer
63
views
If I have many distributable packages in the same repository, do I need to include a LICENSE file with all of them?
I'm creating a project with Lerna, so there's multiple NPM packages in the same repository.
Is it necessary for me to place a LICENSE file inside each NPM package, such that when the user downloads ...
0
votes
1
answer
69
views
What is the license of the Debian Live ISO binary since it is an aggregate work?
A Debian CD or DVD ISO file - here is an example - consists of many different packages containing software licenses under various licenses such as GPLv2, GPLv3, BSD, and a lot of other licenses.
The ...
6
votes
1
answer
73
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What is the OpenChain project?
Many MNCs like Facebook, Uber, Google and now Microsoft have joined the OpenChain Project, but what's it all about? I think it has something to do with FOSS licenses, but based on the material on ...
10
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Should I use my own license in a fork of another GitHub repository, which I've revamped completely?
Background
I am the owner of an open-source theme for Hugo named hugo-dream-plus which, as the name implies, is an upgraded version of hugo-theme-dream.
Note that hugo-theme-dream is licensed ...
1
vote
1
answer
526
views
license for the code snippet posted in github issues
Is the code snippet posted in github repository issues section automatically under the same license that the repository is having?
Additionally(and related), is the content in pull request which has ...
202
votes
3
answers
105k
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What are the essential differences between the BSD and MIT licences?
There are many articles out there which cover the topic in length and breadth, but so far I haven't found a nice, concise answer to the question.
What are the most important differences between the ...