The Value of Open Source

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Computer Science
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Concepts and Licenses of Open Source and Commercial Software

1. Concepts 🔗︎

The Cathedral and the Bazaar 🔗︎

  • Cathedral: Commercial software, emphasizing closure and proprietorship.
  • Bazaar: Open-source software, emphasizing openness and community collaboration.

2. Classification of Open Source Licenses 🔗︎

Academic-Style Licenses 🔗︎

  • Characteristics:
    • When modifying the code, attribution to the original author and a disclaimer are required.
  • Examples:
    • BSD, Apache, MIT, PHP.

Copyleft/Viral Licenses 🔗︎

  • Characteristics:
    • Requirements of academic-style licenses + derivative works must also be open source.
  • Examples:
    • GPL, LGPL, AGPL, CDDL, CPL, EPL, MPL, LGPL.

3. Definition of Derivative Works 🔗︎

Derivative Works 🔗︎

  • Definition:
    • Modified code (e.g., BlackDuck identifies it as using parts of the code).
    • Compiled works.
    • Static linking (e.g., GPL, AGPL).

Non-Derivative Works 🔗︎

  • Definition:
    • Runs on a different layer.
    • The open-source program and your own program run independently without interaction.
    • Remote calls (e.g., via API calls).

4. Definition of Distribution 🔗︎

  • What constitutes distribution:
    1. Downloaded to the user’s client.
    2. Interaction with the user over a network (not considered distribution, except under AGPL, CPAL, OSL).
    3. Used on the server-side (specifically regulated by AGPL).

5. Why Open Source? 🔗︎

  • Purpose:
    • To promote technological development through community operation.
    • To attract more developers to participate and improve project quality.

6. Monetization Models for Open Source Projects 🔗︎

  • Provide professional technical support services for a fee.
  • Offer a more powerful commercial version to meet enterprise needs, charging a license fee.