Download - Software license
Patent
There is no universal definition. Functional expression of an idea - not
the idea itself. It is given by a state for a limited period
of time. It restricts other from using the invention
without the permission of patent holder.
License
A license is a kind of a permission. Patent holder can grant permission to
use his/her patent by licensing it to others.
Software companies/creators license software to others for using.
License can cover special agreements like warranties.
Copyright
Copyright prevents unauthorized copy. Authors can protect their writings,
photographers can protect their photography.
Software can be copyrighted to prevent unauthorized copying of software.
Software in public domain cannot be copyrighted.
Copyleft
Copyleft license is a copyright license. Copyleft enable the user to copy,
distribute and modify the work. Modified/derived works should be
distributed with the same terms as the main work.
GNU GPL
Written by Richard Stallman Free and open-source license Copyleft License 3 versions released Many open source software use open
source license Most notably, Linux
GNU GPL
GPL addressed two problems in software freedom.
First problem and solutionSoftware were distributed as binary only, no
one can edit.GPLv1 said that the source code must be
available under the same license.
GNU GPL (cont.)
Second problem and solutionFree software was being combined with
restricted software restricting software freedom
GPLv1 said software distributed with GPLv1 licensed software must have the same permission as GPLv1
BSD License There are many versions – Modified BSD
License is most common. Free and open-source license. There are also Original BSD License and
Free BSD License. Permissive License - works based on the
material may be released under a proprietary license or as closed source software.
Notable software – NetBSD, FreeBSD
MIT License
MIT License is almost as same as BSD License.
Does not contain the term prohibiting the use of the name of the copyright holder in promotion of derivative work.
Notable software – X Windowing System, Mono Development
MPL
Mozilla Public License Most Mozilla Software, Adobe Flex,
Open Solaris use it Copyleft License It’s licensing is in two parts – initial
author’s right and other people’s rights Can be combined with proprietary
software
AGPL
Affero General Public License Mainly used for web services or SaaS
model Web services under should provide a
link to download the source code
LGPL
LGPL is used for software libraries It allows other software to link with the
library All other restrictions from GPL are also
in LGPL
Creative Commons Attribution
Used to share creative works like texts, photography, etc.
Version 3 is used in Wikipedia. This license allows to share, remix, and
make commercial use of the work You must attribute the work in the manner
specified by the author or licensor First version didn’t allowed derivative
works and commercial use
Reference
http://dunlapcodding.com/phosita/2009/01/what-is-the-difference-between-a-patent-trademark-and-a-copyright.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/ http://www.gnu.org/ http://opensource.org/ http://creativecommons.org/