What is an Open-Source License?

Open-source licenses are legal agreements that allow users to access, modify, and distribute software's source code, embodying the principles of collaboration, transparency, and community-driven development inherent in the open-source movement. These licenses play a crucial role in enabling developers to collaborate on projects without fear of litigation, thereby fostering innovation and preventing monopolization by single entities. There are two main types of open-source licenses: copyleft licenses, which require derivative works to be released under the same terms as the original, and permissive licenses, which allow more flexibility by not requiring derivative works to remain open-source. Examples of copyleft licenses include the GNU General Public License (GPL), Affero General Public License (AGPL), and Lesser General Public License (LGPL), while permissive licenses include the Apache License, MIT License, and BSD License. License compatibility is a key consideration, as it determines whether different licenses can coexist in a single project, with copyleft licenses often being more restrictive in this regard. Understanding these licenses is essential for developers and businesses to navigate the open-source landscape effectively.