Bo MorganJun 30, 2023

Are there software licenses out there that guarantee to the user the ability to receive updates and improvements to a piece of open source software?

I don't know of any license other than the GPL that provides this guarantee to the user.

I know that I'm more motivated to learn a new tool when it is protected by the GPL because of this guarantee that future versions will also be open source.

When I license my own software, I choose the Affero GPLv3 because it provides this extra guarantee to the users, even if the software serving the user is on a webserver.

#foss #fosh #floss #flosh #freesoftware #libresoftware #opensource #proprietary #userrights #users #userfreedom #affero #afferogpl #gplv3 #afferogplv3 #gpl

Show threadBo Morgan

@msw

Thank you for the recommendation to read Lawrence Rosen's "Open Source Licensing: Software Freedom and Intellectual Property Law", July 2004. It was very informative, and clarified a lot of issues for me around licensing, patents, trademarks, copyright, and contract law.

Because it was published in 2004, it only describes the GPLv2 and not the GPLv3 and does not include the AGPL. The strongest open source license in the book appears to be Rosen's own OSL (Open Source License) because of its broader focus not limited to "programs" or "files" as the GPL and MPL do.

Do you have any recommendations for a book to read that includes the newer open source reciprocal licenses and the more modern open source licensing landscape? I am hoping to compare the AGPL and the OSL and possibly newer reciprocal licenses, or understand newer arguments for/against reciprocal agreements.

Thanks again!

#foss #fosh #floss #flosh #freesoftware #libresoftware #opensource #proprietary #userrights #users #userfreedom #affero #afferogpl #gplv3 #afferogplv3 #gpl #lawrencerosen #osl #reciprocalagreement

Sep 22, 2023 at 8:02pmWeb
Show threadjeffluszczSep 22, 2023
@neptune22222 Have you seen Heather Meeker's Open (Source) for Business: A Practical Guide to Open Source Software Licensing - Third Edition? There's a chapter on AGPL v3compliance [Chapter 10].
Show threadBo MorganSep 23, 2023

@jeffluszcz

Thanks for the recommendation, Jeff!

I had not heard of Heather Meeker's Open (Source) for Business, 2020 book (third edition), until you just recommended it. I've just ordered myself a copy.

#foss #fosh #floss #flosh #freesoftware #libresoftware #opensource #proprietary #userrights #users #userfreedom #affero #afferogpl #gplv3 #afferogplv3 #gpl #copyleft #heathermeeker

Show threadjeffluszczSep 23, 2023
@neptune22222 there was a new edition released in 2020. 3rd edition. It’s on Amazon right now.
Show threadBo MorganSep 23, 2023

@jeffluszcz

Oh, thanks for the heads up! I did actually buy the 2020 edition, now that I double check. Whew! 😃

Show threadGerardo LisboaSep 30, 2024

@neptune22222 @jeffluszcz

The question you made relates to assurances given by the developer to the user.

Most (if not all) licenses relate only to the conditions the developer imposes on the user or, in #OpenSource, what is granted and assured it can't be taken.

What you a looking for, I've only seen on acquisition contracts, where the supplier is giving the purchaser services and maintenance, which will prevail for the duration of the payment.

Show threadGerardo LisboaSep 30, 2024

@neptune22222 @jeffluszcz

This is what, in Europe, will change with the #CRA (cyber resilience act) and #PLD (product liability directive) and, I suppose, is already under the #DMA (digital market act).