The Power of Licenses: What Lies Behind Open Source

Open Source is the invisible backbone of the modern software landscape, encompassing an astonishing 90% of the technology infrastructure. From frameworks and libraries to databases and operating systems, Open Source is ubiquitous. The benefits are clear: more control and transparency. However, the relationship between Open Source and proprietary software remains an eternal conflict, often shaped by licensing issues. There are various licensing models: "Permissive" licenses, such as the popular MIT License, offer broad freedoms, while "Copyleft" licenses like GPL version 3.0 have stricter requirements. A well-known example is WordPress, which is available under GPL 2.0 "or later," offering developers a choice. The Apache License 2.0, on the other hand, includes patent protections that safeguard developers in innovative projects. But not all licenses are clearly defined. The "Unlicense" or the "Zero-Clause BSD" aim to release software into the public domain, but often come with legal uncertainties. The trend toward "source available" licenses is also growing, which make source code accessible but contain commercial restrictions. MongoDB's own SSPL license is one such example that has met with little enthusiasm from the Open Source Initiative. Another example of alternative models are "ethical source" licenses like the Hippocratic License, which regulate the use of the software in accordance with human rights. With this diversity of licenses, companies and developers face the challenge of finding the right balance between openness and protecting their interests.