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 PermissiveExtremely permissive; permits commercial use, modification, distribution, and private sublicensing with simple copyright notice retention.
Commercial Production:
โ 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).