Open-Source License

What Does Open-Source License Mean?

An open-source license allows for a software product to be shared in certain ways, or for some types of collaborative research or development. In general, open-source licensing allows the source code of a project to be open or transparent, utilized by third parties, or changed or manipulated by members of a developer community.

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Techopedia Explains Open-Source License

There are different types of open-source software, such as Apache software licenses, “Berkeley” or BSD licenses, and various types of GNU licenses. Some of these arose from different kinds of research and development projects within open developer communities. They also have their own rules. For example, some open-source licenses require different users to attribute source code to its creators.

Open-source licenses are standardized by groups like the Open Source Initiative, a global non-profit, and play a big role in the emergence of new technologies today. For instance, pioneers on the open-source Open Stack framework are contending that this type of platform serves companies and customers better than some traditional licensed products or services.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…