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I think you described the trade-off between permissive and copyleft licenses well, but the argument that you shouldn't default to copyleft is weak. If you care
by js8 8y ago
I think you described the trade-off between permissive and copyleft licenses well, but the argument that you shouldn't default to copyleft is weak.
If you care about developers, you should use permissive license, if you care about end users, you should use copyleft license. The final decision is completely determined as who you see yourself more as a maintaner - developer of the software or end user of the software. The choice depends on the nature of software, and if you expect that you will be paid on either developing it or at least using it in another paid project.
Unfortunately, there is no middle road. The middle road will just mean more free loaders.
- eridius 8y agoThat's a fair argument, but the counterargument is that permissive licenses are good for users because permissive licenses allow more software to incorporate your component, thus (presumably) increasing the overall quality of software, and it's good for users to have good-quality software.
- js8 8y agoThat is an argument which only works, however, when you're writing a component. Almost exactly dual argument can be made to defend end-users. And it is what we actually observe in the real world. Components that concern developers, such as libraries, often have liberal licenses, while finished programs often have copyleft licenses.