Introduction
Over 96% of business applications use open-source components, but how many organizations truly understand the legal implications of these licenses? As a freelance developer who has supported numerous companies in their digital projects, I've observed that misunderstanding open-source licenses represents one of the most underestimated legal risks in modern software development.
This guide details the main open-source licenses, their specific obligations, and best practices to secure your business projects. You'll learn how to confidently navigate the open-source ecosystem while respecting your commercial constraints.
Understanding the Open-Source License Ecosystem
What is an Open-Source License?
An open-source license is a legal contract that defines the conditions for using, modifying, and redistributing software. Contrary to common belief, "free" doesn't mean "without obligations."
According to the Open Source Initiative (OSI), an open-source license must respect 10 fundamental criteria:
- Free redistribution
- Source code access
- Allowed modifications
- Author's source code integrity
- No discrimination against persons or groups
- No discrimination against fields of endeavor
- License distribution
- License must not be specific to a product
- License must not restrict other software
- License must be technology-neutral
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