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 istypicallynot a derivative workif that service 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 and the service is purely optional, the software is not a derivative work. 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, thiscopyleft license ensuresthat wheneverAGPLcode is reused,orwhencontributions are made to existing copyleft code, the resulting work must remain open source.Atheguaranteesthat the source codeisavailable so users can modify, build, and control the software themselves.54 +In summary, copyleft licenses like the AGPL ensure that whenever code is reused or contributions are made to existing copyleft code, the resulting work must remain open source. These licenses also require that the source code be made available upon request, so that users can modify, build, and control the software themselves if they wish. 55 55 56 56 **License Preferences** 57 57