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Some larger companies are concerned that they will be 'caught' by the Open Source licences and either be forced to release their proprietary code or face a lega

Some larger companies are concerned that they will be 'caught' by the Open Source licences and either be forced to release their proprietary code or face a legal challenge. As a result, some companies have a blanket rule that any code has to either be written in house, or come with a clear purchased licence granting them the right to use it. I can't recall who it was now, but I remember reading about an open source project that makes considerable money from selling these licences, even though they weren't necessary (the licence was MIT). The licence even had an explanation around it stating (paraphrasing) "Hey, this isn't required, but if it makes you feel better, you can pay for it".

messe 6y ago
Was it sqlite that you were thinking of? It's public domain, but offers licenses. > The core SQLite database software is in the public domain. No license is necessary to use SQLite or to build SQLite into your products. However, licenses are available to satisfy the following needs: > - You want indemnity against claims of copyright infringement. > - You are using SQLite in a jurisdiction that does not recognize the public domain. > - You are using SQLite in a jurisdiction that does not recognize the right of a authors to dedicate their work to the public domain. > - You want to hold a tangible legal document as evidence that you have the legal right to use and distribute SQLite. Your legal department tells you that you have to purchase a license. https://www.sqlite.org/purchase/license https://www.sqlite.org/purchase/license
- user5994461 6y ago
  It's ironic considering a good chunk of the world outside of the US doesn't recognize public domain. :D To be more specific. Public domain is intended to mean "after copyrights have expired". It is not a sort of license that can be put on a creation.
  - pseudalopex 6y ago
    Public domain means not covered by copyright. Expiration isn't the only way that happens.
- abrookewood 6y ago
  Yes, that's it - thanks

messe 6y ago

Was it sqlite that you were thinking of? It's public domain, but offers licenses. > The core SQLite database software is in the public domain. No license is necessary to use SQLite or to build SQLite into your products. However, licenses are available to satisfy the following needs: > - You want indemnity against claims of copyright infringement. > - You are using SQLite in a jurisdiction that does not recognize the public domain. > - You are using SQLite in a jurisdiction that does not recognize the right of a authors to dedicate their work to the public domain. > - You want to hold a tangible legal document as evidence that you have the legal right to use and distribute SQLite. Your legal department tells you that you have to purchase a license. https://www.sqlite.org/purchase/license https://www.sqlite.org/purchase/license

user5994461 6y ago
It's ironic considering a good chunk of the world outside of the US doesn't recognize public domain. :D To be more specific. Public domain is intended to mean "after copyrights have expired". It is not a sort of license that can be put on a creation.
- pseudalopex 6y ago
  Public domain means not covered by copyright. Expiration isn't the only way that happens.
abrookewood 6y ago
Yes, that's it - thanks