Changes for page 3. Free Software and Open Source Software
Last modified by chrisby on 2025/01/11 10:03
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... ... @@ -47,11 +47,11 @@ 47 47 48 48 **Copyleft Licenses** 49 49 50 -To address problems with proprietary software, the FSF promotes copyleft licenses, likethe AGPLlicense, which require that any derivative works remain under the same license. Thenotionof “derivative work”is somewhat vague in legal terms, but a common interpretation is that software dependingon AGPL code to function is a derivative work.50 +To address problems with proprietary software, the FSF promotes copyleft licenses, such as the AGPL, which require that any derivative works remain under the same license. The term "derivative work" is somewhat vague in legal terms, but a common interpretation is that software that depends on AGPL code to function is a derivative work. 51 51 52 -For instance, if a project directly incorporates AGPL source code or relies on an AGPL library, it must adopt the AGPL license for its entire codebase. Similarly,whensoftware calls an external AGPL service over a network, the software istypically not a derivative work if thatservice is purely optional. However, if the service is essential and the software won’tfunctionwithout it, even if the AGPL code is hosted externally, the software is still considered a derivative work. Attempting to“bypass”the AGPL by outsourcing essential functions in a network service will not avoid the license requirements.52 +For example, if a project directly incorporates AGPL source code or relies on an AGPL library, it must adopt the AGPL license for its entire code base. Similarly, if software calls an external AGPL service over a network, the software is usually not a derivative work if the service is purely optional. However, if the service is essential and the software won't work without it, even if the AGPL code is hosted externally, the software is still considered a derivative work. Attempting to "work around" the AGPL by outsourcing essential functions in a network service will not avoid the license requirements. 53 53 54 -In summary, this copyleft license ensures that whenever AGPL code is reused, or whencontributions are made to existing copyleft code, the resulting work must remain open source.Atheis available so users can modify, build, and control the software themselves.54 +In summary, this copyleft license ensures that whenever AGPL code is reused, or contributions are made to existing copyleft code, the resulting work must remain open source. The AGPL license also guarantees that the source code must be made available if a user requests it, so that users can modify, build, and control the software themselves. 55 55 56 56 **License Preferences** 57 57