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Key Requirements of an Open Source License
Source code must be available
To anyone, for any purpose, free of charge
- No field of use limits
- e.g., requirements to use with a specified processor, operating system, or for a specific function are not permitted
- No limits on technical decision making
- e.g., compatibility requirements not permitted
- e.g., maintenance of specified APIs not permitted
No limits on competitive or other business decisions
- e.g., prohibition on competing with author not permitted
- e.g., prohibition of “commercial” use not permitted
Right to “fork” is required