![]() ![]() Then a new subdirectory is added, in which files have Apache license statements, but with copyright notices that identify a different copyright owner. ![]() Later, a file is added with a different copyright notice and a copy of a BSD 2-clause license. Software with a complex history may also have complex license information.Ĭonsider the following example: Someone writes a new program, including in each source file a copyright notice with a statement that the software is licensed under the Apache License, version 2.0, and including in the root of the source tree a copy of the text of the Apache License. Open source licenses provide the permissions to facilitate that development dynamic. Unlike mechanical devices, on which collaboration by a diverse group is more challenging, it is practical for complex software to benefit from the work of many. Open source software can be extended, repurposed, and combined with other software. But the power of open source is that it facilitates other developers building upon that starting point, and that process can complicate license information. What are the license terms? For much open source software, there is a simple answer: A single license text contains all the license information for the entire body of software. Let us pause and reflect for a moment how useful this common practice has been. The value of embedding the license information in the source tree is underappreciated. As open source licenses facilitate movement of software, license information that travels with the code simplifies administration by making the statements of the permissions readily available to those who have the code, even if they receive the code indirectly. While providing license information directly in the source code is not a requirement for open source software, the practical benefits of doing so became apparent early. Different views, or reports, of that license information can be generated to address differing needs. ![]() You can find the license information for open source software by looking at the source code. ![]()
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