Software Licenses

35. Software License Types & Open Source Matrix

Navigate permissive, copyleft, and source-available software licenses with a comprehensive decision matrix and interactive legal compatibility advisor.

software-licenses.ts
// Open Source & Commercial Software License Matrix
export interface SoftwareLicense {
  spdx: string;
  name: string;
  category: 'Permissive' | 'Weak Copyleft' | 'Strong Copyleft' | 'Source-Available';
  commercialUse: boolean;
  patentGrant: boolean;
  disclosureRequired: boolean;
  summary: string;
}

export const licenses: SoftwareLicense[] = [
  {
    spdx: 'MIT',
    name: 'MIT License',
    category: 'Permissive',
    commercialUse: true,
    patentGrant: false,
    disclosureRequired: false,
    summary: 'Short and permissive; allows commercial use, modification, and sublicensing with copyright notice.'
  },
  {
    spdx: 'Apache-2.0',
    name: 'Apache License 2.0',
    category: 'Permissive',
    commercialUse: true,
    patentGrant: true,
    disclosureRequired: false,
    summary: 'Permissive license that provides an express grant of patent rights and trademark protections.'
  },
  {
    spdx: 'GPL-3.0',
    name: 'GNU General Public License v3',
    category: 'Strong Copyleft',
    commercialUse: true,
    patentGrant: true,
    disclosureRequired: true,
    summary: 'Derivative works and complete source code must be distributed under GPL-3.0.'
  },
  {
    spdx: 'AGPL-3.0',
    name: 'GNU Affero General Public License v3',
    category: 'Strong Copyleft',
    commercialUse: true,
    patentGrant: true,
    disclosureRequired: true,
    summary: 'Closes cloud network loophole: triggers source disclosure when run as a network web service.'
  },
  {
    spdx: 'BSL-1.1',
    name: 'Business Source License 1.1',
    category: 'Source-Available',
    commercialUse: false,
    patentGrant: true,
    disclosureRequired: false,
    summary: 'Source-available with commercial production restrictions; converts to open source after a fixed period.'
  }
];

Software License Types & Open Source Strategy

Selecting the right software license governs intellectual property rights, commercial exploitation, patent protection, and source code redistribution requirements.

  • Permissive Licenses (MIT, Apache 2.0, BSD): Maximum freedom with minimal obligations (keep copyright notice). Apache 2.0 adds explicit patent defense.
  • Copyleft Licenses (MPL, GPL, AGPL): Ensures software remains open. AGPL-3.0 specifically closes the cloud SaaS loophole by triggering disclosure when accessed over a network.
  • Source-Available Licenses (BSL 1.1, FSL): Not strictly OSI Open Source, but allows public code inspection and non-competing use while converting to permissive open source after a fixed duration.
  • Dual-Licensing Model: Providing software under both a strong copyleft / source-available license (for community) and a commercial proprietary license (for enterprise customers).
Interactive Software License Decision Matrix Legal Architecture

MIT License

SPDX: MIT ยท Permissive

Extremely permissive; permits commercial use, modification, distribution, and private sublicensing with simple copyright notice retention.

Commercial Production:

โœ“ Unrestricted

Patent Grant Included:

โ€” None Expressed

Source Disclosure:

Not Required

Network / SaaS Trigger:

โ€” Binary Delivery Only

Ideal Strategic Use Case:

Broadest community adoption, frontend components, utility libraries (Svelte, React, Vue, Vite).