3 ms·

If I sell software to a government agency am I morally obligated to give up my copyright?

• prepend 4y ago
  If you subsist entirely on grants and charitable donations and you yourself are a charity then I think it’s reasonable that your software should be open source. There’s actually a push for all custom developed code for the US government be open sourced, even if produced by a contractor. Seems reasonable to me.
  • s1artibartfast 4y ago
    That is something that should be determined up front by the purchaser. If you want it to be open source, require it. It isn't something to blame a vendor for several decades after you agree to a contract when you feel like you missed out.
    • prepend 4y ago
      I’m not blaming a vendor. I’m calling out how I think it is immoral. And I don’t donate to such vendors. I understand why they do it as I like money too.
      • s1artibartfast 4y ago
        I think there is a big difference between donating to a for profit project and paying for a service. There is also donating to something because you want a for profit service to exist as something to buy.