A Guide to Software Licenses: Open Source, Closed Source, and More

Software licensing is a crucial topic for developers, businesses, and individuals who want to use, distribute, or contribute to software projects. Understanding software licenses helps ensure compliance with legal requirements and clarifies what you can and cannot do with a particular software product. In this article, we’ll explore various types of software licenses, including open source, closed source, and more, and provide guidance on how to identify a software license type and determine if it can be used for production or distribution.

1. Open Source Licenses

Open source software licenses allow users to access, modify, and distribute the source code freely. The primary idea behind open source is collaboration, where anyone can contribute to and improve the software. However, open source licenses come with different terms and conditions. Here are some common types:

a. Permissive Licenses

Permissive open source licenses allow for broad freedom, including modifying, using, and redistributing the software, even in proprietary projects. Popular permissive licenses include:

• MIT License: Allows almost unrestricted freedom; users can modify and distribute the software without many conditions.