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Can open source software be used commercially?
Open source software can be used for commercial purposes. This means you can use open source software for commercial purposes — but you can’t always place restrictions on people who receive software from you. And commercial doesn’t mean the same thing as proprietary.
What are the commercial aspects of open source software?
In particular, in some articles, the term “commercial open source” refers to a kind of software which in dual licensing is in contrast to community open source software. In other words, a software which is more complete and which is made available in exchange for money is also called commercial open source software.
What is the difference between open-source and commercial software?
Open-source software is computer software with its source code made available by the developer to everybody to study, change, modify, enhance and distribute. On the other hand, commercial software has source code that only the person, team, or organization that created it can edit, inspect, change and enhance it.
Are there any questions about the Open Source Initiative?
Here are answers to questions we are frequently asked. If you have a question not addressed here, please contact us. What is “Open Source” software? Can Open Source software be used for commercial purposes? Can I restrict how people use an Open Source licensed program? Can I stop “evil people” from using my program?
Can you use open source software for commercial purposes?
However, note that commercial is not the same as proprietary. If you receive software under an Open Source license, you can always use that software for commercial purposes, but that doesn’t always mean you can place further restrictions on people who receive the software from you.
What’s the difference between open source and free software?
“Free software” and “open source software” are two terms for the same thing: software released under licenses that guarantee a certain specific set of freedoms. The term “free software” is older, and is reflected in the name of the Free Software Foundation (FSF), an organization founded in 1985 to protect and promote free software.
Is the Department of Defense using open source software?
This page is an educational resource for government employees and government contractors to understand the policies and legal issues relating to the use of open source software (OSS) in the Department of Defense (DoD).