License choice is about the goals of the author. It can be complex, but as a simplification: * Goal: Maximise software using my component: one of the BSD's. Ra

License choice is about the goals of the author. It can be complex, but as a simplification: * Goal: Maximise software using my component: one of the BSD's. Rationale: anyone can build on it or fork it. * Goal: Maximise contribution to the component OR total amount of Free Software: Choose one of the GPLs. Rationale: everyone has to share the same responsibilities to go with the rights. As someone else pointed out - LGPL for libraries is a middle choice. Ultimately, only the creator chooses the goal.