LXC docs.
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The Open Source Definition
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Version 1.9
The indented, italicized sections below appear as annotations to the Open Source
Definition (OSD) and are not a part of the OSD. A plain version of the OSD without
annotations can be found here. Introduction
Open source doesn't just mean access to the source code. The distribution terms of
open-source software must comply with the following criteria:
1. Free Redistribution
The license shall not restrict any party from selling or giving away the software as a
component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from several different
sources. The license shall not require a royalty or other fee for such sale.
Rationale: By constraining the license to require free redistribution, we eliminate the
temptation to throw away many long-term gains in order to make a few short-term sales
dollars. If we didn't do this, there would be lots of pressure for cooperators to defect.
2. Source Code
The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well
as compiled form. Where some form of a product is not distributed with source code, there
must be a well-publicized means of obtaining the source code for no more than a reasonable
reproduction cost preferably, downloading via the Internet without charge. The source code
must be the preferred form in which a programmer would modify the program. Deliberately
obfuscated source code is not allowed. Intermediate forms such as the output of a
preprocessor or translator are not allowed.
Rationale: We require access to un-obfuscated source code because you can't evolve
programs without modifying them. Since our purpose is to make evolution easy, we require
that modification be made easy.
3. Derived Works
The license must allow modifications and derived works, and must allow them to be
distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software.
Rationale: The mere ability to read source isn't enough to support independent peer review
and rapid evolutionary selection. For rapid evolution to happen, people need to be able to
experiment with and redistribute modifications.
4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code
The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form only if the
license allows the distribution of "patch files" with the source code for the purpose of
modifying the program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution of
software built from modified source code. The license may require derived works to carry a
different name or version number from the original software.
Rationale: Encouraging lots of improvement is a good thing, but users have a right to know
who is responsible for the software they are using. Authors and maintainers have
reciprocal right to know what they're being asked to support and protect their
reputations.
Accordingly, an open-source license must guarantee that source be readily available, but
may require that it be distributed as pristine base sources plus patches. In this way,
"unofficial" changes can be made available but readily distinguished from the base source.
5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.
Rationale: In order to get the maximum benefit from the process, the maximum diversity of
persons and groups should be equally eligible to contribute to open sources. Therefore we
forbid any open-source license from locking anybody out of the process.
Some countries, including the United States, have export restrictions for certain types of
software. An OSD-conformant license may warn licensees of applicable restrictions and
remind them that they are obliged to obey the law; however, it may not incorporate such
restrictions itself.
6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the program in a specific field of
endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or
from being used for genetic research.
Rationale: The major intention of this clause is to prohibit license traps that prevent
open source from being used commercially. We want commercial users to join our community,
not feel excluded from it.
7. Distribution of License
The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed
without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.
Rationale: This clause is intended to forbid closing up software by indirect means such as
requiring a non-disclosure agreement.
8. License Must Not Be Specific to a Product
The rights attached to the program must not depend on the program's being part of a
particular software distribution. If the program is extracted from that distribution and
used or distributed within the terms of the program's license, all parties to whom the
program is redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted in
conjunction with the original software distribution.
Rationale: This clause forecloses yet another class of license traps.
9. License Must Not Restrict Other Software
The license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with
the licensed software. For example, the license must not insist that all other programs
distributed on the same medium must be open-source software.
Rationale: Distributors of open-source software have the right to make their own choices
about their own software.
Yes, the GPL is conformant with this requirement. Software linked with GPLed libraries
only inherits the GPL if it forms a single work, not any software with which they are
merely distributed.
10. License Must Be Technology-Neutral
No provision of the license may be predicated on any individual technology or style of
interface.
Rationale: This provision is aimed specifically at licenses which require an explicit
gesture of assent in order to establish a contract between licensor and licensee.
Provisions mandating so-called "click-wrap" may conflict with important methods of
software distribution such as FTP download, CD-ROM anthologies, and web mirroring; such
provisions may also hinder code re-use. Conformant licenses must allow for the possibility
that (a) redistribution of the software will take place over non-Web channels that do not
support click-wrapping of the download, and that (b) the covered code (or re-used portions
of covered code) may run in a non-GUI environment that cannot support popup dialogues.
* Social Contract with the Free Software Community
Version 1.1
1. Debian will remain 100% free
We provide the guidelines that we use to determine if a work is free in the document
entitled The Debian Free Software Guidelines. We promise that the Debian system and all
its components will be free according to these guidelines. We will support people who
create or use both free and non-free works on Debian. We will never make the system
require the use of a non-free component.
2. We will give back to the free software community
When we write new components of the Debian system, we will license them in a manner
consistent with the Debian Free Software Guidelines. We will make the best system we can,
so that free works will be widely distributed and used. We will communicate things such as
bug fixes, improvements and user requests to the upstream authors of works included in our
system.
3. We will not hide problems
We will keep our entire bug report database open for public view at all times. Reports
that people file online will promptly become visible to others.
4. Our priorities are our users and free software
We will be guided by the needs of our users and the free software community. We will place
their interests first in our priorities. We will support the needs of our users for
operation in many different kinds of computing environments. We will not object to
non-free works that are intended to be used on Debian systems, or attempt to charge a fee
to people who create or use such works. We will allow others to create distributions
containing both the Debian system and other works, without any fee from us. In furtherance
of these goals, we will provide an integrated system of high-quality materials with no
legal restrictions that would prevent such uses of the system.
5. Works that do not meet our free software standards
We acknowledge that some of our users require the use of works that do not conform to the
Debian Free Software Guidelines. We have created contrib and non-free areas in our archive
for these works. The packages in these areas are not part of the Debian system, although
they have been configured for use with Debian. We encourage CD manufacturers to read the
licenses of the packages in these areas and determine if they can distribute the packages
on their CDs. Thus, although non-free works are not a part of Debian, we support their use
and provide infrastructure for non-free packages (such as our bug tracking system and
mailing lists).
* The Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG)
1. Free Redistribution
The license of a Debian component may not restrict any party from selling or giving away
the software as a component of an aggregate software distribution containing programs from
several different sources. The license may not require a royalty or other fee for such
sale.
2. Source Code
The program must include source code, and must allow distribution in source code as well
as compiled form.
3. Derived Works
The license must allow modifications and derived works, and must allow them to be
distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software.
4. Integrity of The Author's Source Code
The license may restrict source-code from being distributed in modified form _only_ if the
license allows the distribution of patch files with the source code for the purpose of
modifying the program at build time. The license must explicitly permit distribution of
software built from modified source code. The license may require derived works to carry a
different name or version number from the original software. (This is a compromise. The
Debian group encourages all authors not to restrict any files, source or binary, from
being modified.)
5. No Discrimination Against Persons or Groups
The license must not discriminate against any person or group of persons.
6. No Discrimination Against Fields of Endeavor
The license must not restrict anyone from making use of the program in a specific field of
endeavor. For example, it may not restrict the program from being used in a business, or
from being used for genetic research.
7. Distribution of License
The rights attached to the program must apply to all to whom the program is redistributed
without the need for execution of an additional license by those parties.
8. License Must Not Be Specific to Debian
The rights attached to the program must not depend on the program's being part of a Debian
system. If the program is extracted from Debian and used or distributed without Debian but
otherwise within the terms of the program's license, all parties to whom the program is
redistributed should have the same rights as those that are granted in conjunction with
the Debian system.
9. License Must Not Contaminate Other Software
The license must not place restrictions on other software that is distributed along with
the licensed software. For example, the license must not insist that all other programs
distributed on the same medium must be free software.
10. Example Licenses
The GPL, BSD, and Artistic licenses are examples of licenses that we consider free.
* The Free Software Definition
Free software is a matter of the users' freedom to run, copy, distribute, study, change
and improve the software. More precisely, it refers to four kinds of freedom, for the
users of the software:
* The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).
* The freedom to study how the program works, and adapt it to your needs (freedom 1).
Access to the source code is a precondition for this.
* The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).
* The freedom to improve the program, and release your improvements to the public, so
that the whole community benefits (freedom 3).
* Access to the source code is a precondition for this.