Cloud, Operations & Licences Software Licences

27. Software Licence Types & Open Source Matrix

Name: Web Engine 2026
Author: Web Engine 2026 Team

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

software-licenses.ts

typescript

// Open Source & Commercial Software Licence Matrix
export interface SoftwareLicence {
  spdx: string;
  name: string;
  category: 'Permissive' | 'Weak Copyleft' | 'Strong Copyleft' | 'Source-Available';
  commercialUse: boolean;
  patentGrant: boolean;
  disclosureRequired: boolean;
  summary: string;
}
export const licences: SoftwareLicence[] = [
  {
    spdx: 'MIT',
    name: 'MIT Licence',
    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 Licence 2.0',
    category: 'Permissive',
    commercialUse: true,
    patentGrant: true,
    disclosureRequired: false,
    summary: 'Permissive licence that provides an express grant of patent rights and trademark protections.'
  },
  {
    spdx: 'GPL-3.0',
    name: 'GNU General Public Licence 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 Licence 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 Licence 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 Licence Types & Open Source Strategy

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

Permissive Licences (MIT, Apache 2.0, BSD): Maximum freedom with minimal obligations (keep copyright notice). Apache 2.0 adds explicit patent defence.
Copyleft Licences (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 Licences (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 licence (for community) and a commercial proprietary licence (for enterprise customers).

Interactive Software Licence Decision Matrix Legal Architecture