Re: Jakarta POI - HWPF for word files

Steve Richter wrote on 10/08/2006 11:29:31 AM:

do FLOSS projects not allow commercial enterprises to sell FLOSS
derived code? I dont need a legal opinion, it is just my impression
that if you sell FLOSS derived code you have to allow the buyer to
copy and distribute your add on as well as the FLOSS code base.

This is a very difficult question to answer.  The short answer is that it 
depends how the code is licensed.  There are so many ways of licensing 
software that fine distinction is needed (see 
http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html for information about some 
of the various free software licensing schemes).  Software can be open 
source and proprietary, or closed source but without charge and freely 
distributable. This is the reason for using the term free/libre open 
source software (FLOSS) as opposed to just open source software.

The licence used by the Apache project (which includes the Apache 
webserver) is an example of a free software licence that does not require 
that derivative works be distributed as FLOSS.  I believe the main 
requirement for derivative works is that they advertise that they are 
based on Apache.

In practice, much free software is distributed with a license that 
requires derivative works also be distributed in a non-commercial manner. 
This does not, however, mean that no one can make money selling support, 
training, or value adding tools for such projects.

I hope this answers your question,
Adam

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