Free/open-source developers: what license(s) do you use, and why? - eviltoast
  • Johnny@feddit.de
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    1 year ago

    Depends on what I’m making and which ecosystem it will be a part of. For libraries, I use the MIT license most of the time, although I’m probably going to switch to Apache 2.0 for future stuff. It’s a bit more robust and has a helpful licensing framework.

    When I make applications (and if possible), I tend to use (A)GPLv3. GPL sometimes doesn’t work though (for example, for my primary language, Clojure). I like the MPL 2.0 as a weak copyleft alternative.

    However, recently, I’ve been reconsidering the whole open source/free software ideology, especially the focus on granting unconditional freedoms. I think the view that engineers shouldn’t care what is done with their work is outdated and irresponsible, and it applies to software devs as well. So I’m keeping an eye on the development of alternative source models such as ethical source or licenses like the Anti-Capitalist License.

    • apt_install_coffee@lemmy.ml
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      1 year ago

      I’ve been considering copyfarleft licenses like the Anti-Captialist Licence and the Peer Production Licence for a while now; I like the licenses themselves, my only issue is that since there is no body like the FSF to enforce them, a company large enough is likely just to steal the code or break licence.

      • Johnny@feddit.de
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        1 year ago

        Yeah. I really like the idea of the ACL, but I wouldn’t use it for anything serious right now because it hasn’t undergone proper legal review and its enforceability itself is rather questionable. The author said he was going to work on getting that done this year, we’ll see what happens.

        To clarify, I also don’t think the problem I’ve mentioned can be fixed with licenses alone and I still support FOSS in general. The fact that there’s organisations like the SFC and FSF is a bonus, of course.

    • hoodlem@hoodlem.me
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      1 year ago

      That is really interesting. I had not heard of the ethical listences before.

      I imagine with licenses like those it would increase the beaurocracy and legal review for corporations. And that’s probably not such a bad thing.