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, suchasthe 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 softwarethatdependson AGPL code to function is a derivative work.50 +To address problems with proprietary software, the FSF promotes copyleft licenses, like the AGPL license, which require that any derivative works remain under the same license. The notion of “derivative work” is somewhat vague in legal terms, but a common interpretation is that software depending on AGPL code to function is a derivative work. 51 51 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 codeifsoftware calls an external AGPL service over a networkand the service is purely optional, the software is not a derivative work. However, if the service is essential and the software won'tworkwithout it, even if the AGPL code is hosted externally, the software is still considered a derivative work. Attempting to"workaround"the AGPL by outsourcing essential functions in a network service will not avoid the license requirements.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, when software calls an external AGPL service over a network, the software is typically not a derivative work if that service is purely optional. However, if the service is essential and the software won’t function without 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. 53 53 54 -In summary, copyleft license slikethe AGPL ensure that whenever code is reused or contributions are made to existing copyleft code, the resulting work must remain open source.Theselicensesalsorequire that the source codebemade availableupon request, sothatusers can modify, build, and control the software themselvesif they wish.54 +In summary, this copyleft license ensures that whenever AGPL code is reused, or when contributions are made to existing copyleft code, the resulting work must remain open source. Athe also guarantees that the source code is available so users can modify, build, and control the software themselves. 55 55 56 56 **License Preferences** 57 57