With regard to the DoD the CIO released some good guidance on OSS: https://dodcio.defense.gov/Open-Source-Software-FAQ/ https://dodcio.defense.gov/Open-Source-S

With regard to the DoD the CIO released some good guidance on OSS: https://dodcio.defense.gov/Open-Source-Software-FAQ/ https://dodcio.defense.gov/Open-Source-Software-FAQ/ Here is an excerpt that talks about licensing: >Q: Can government employees develop software and release it under an open source license? >Not under typical open source software licenses based on copyright, but there is an alternative with the same practical effect. >Software developed by US federal government employees (including military personnel) as part of their official duties is not subject to copyright protection and is considered “public domain” (see 17 USC § 105). Public domain software can be used by anyone for any purpose, and cannot be released under a copyright license (including typical open source software licenses). >However, software written entirely by federal government employees as part of their official duties can be released as “public domain” software. This is not under a copyright license, it is absence of a license. By some definitions this is technically not an open source license (because no license is needed), but “public domain” software can be legally used, modified, and combined with other software without restriction. Thus, “public domain” software provides recipients all of the rights that open source software must provide.