Open Source License Debate

The cluster discusses controversies over what qualifies as true open source software, focusing on licenses with field-of-use restrictions like the Commons Clause that allegedly violate FSF/OSI definitions and the spirit of FOSS.

📉 Falling 0.5x Open Source
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#1650
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Keywords

MS e.g US sw.html FOSS OSS OK DAW LICENSE MIT license licenses open source source open software open source software bsd source software foss

Sample Comments

s73v3r Apr 14, 2015 View on HN

Open source doesn't mean you get to ignore the license.

mrtweetyhack Mar 7, 2023 View on HN

nothing wrong with this license. Don't like it, then don't use it. I don't needs somebody to tell me how OSS is defined or yours.

jcoffland May 11, 2020 View on HN

There isn't any open source license that prevents me from not liking it either.

imiric May 2, 2025 View on HN

This is not a legal matter, nor is it related to the FSF and any of the "open source" licenses. My argument is philosophical.Using a license that allows the software to be distributed and modified, while placing restrictions or exemptions to those permissions outside of the license, at the very least sends mixed signals. My point is that if the author wants to make those restrictions, that's fine, but the license is the correct place for it. What's shitty from my moral per

jimbob123 Jul 1, 2020 View on HN

This is a disturbing new trend, open source software is just that, it is open source. Defining who can and can't use it goes against the spirit of FOSS.

icebraining Nov 20, 2014 View on HN

Who claims that releasing software under non-copyleft licenses like MIT and BSD is non-free?

simion314 Jul 6, 2021 View on HN

Can you provide a link on the "forced" part ? Maybe they realized that is fucking OK to respect the license , they would not like it if someone fucks with their proprietary code either.

Legion Jun 4, 2010 View on HN

It wouldn't be open source without license disagreements.

Avamander Sep 10, 2018 View on HN

In my opinion if a company makes software they want to get contributions back there are licenses such as GPL and AGPL, the commons clause just infringes on user freedoms. Thus I think the title is a bit too absolute and thus should be changed to something else.

sakompella Nov 6, 2025 View on HN

this is not how CC / FOSS licenses work. if this is how FOSS worked not a soul would use it